A review of behavioural ecology and conservation of large predators inhabiting the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP)

The Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) stretching across 10,000 km2 of the total 72,496km2 of GilgitBaltistan is the largest protected area of Pakistan. Been established in 1993; the national park is yet beyond of catering vital information on ecological features. The park provides sanctuary to the snow leopard Panthera uncia and the grey wolf Canis lupus as the major and large predators, which play key role in maintaining and sustaining both the prey species and food chains in the unique mountainous ecosystem. Depredation on livestock by these predators and their killing by local herders in retaliation is a serious conservation issue because livestock rearing is one of the major livelihood sources of local herders around the Park. To strike a balance between the Park ecosystem and peoples’ needs, it is important to explore the key behavioural features of the large predators. This paper reviews unique behavioural features of the snow leopard and wolf such as their territoriality, mating, social organization and communication modes. Based on the information extracted, some conservation actions have also been suggested at the end to manage human-carnivore conflict in valleys around the Park.