Authors: Bivek Gautam and Santosh Bhattarai

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Authors: Dol Raj Thanet, Saneer Lamichhane, Tirtha Bahadur Kshetri, Madhu Chaudhari, Santosh Rayamajhi, Thakur Silwal

Abstract: Human recreation increasingly influences wildlife behavior, yet spatial and temporal responses
are rarely studied together. We used the COVID-19 lockdown and pre-lockdown survey periods in Bardia National Park, Nepal, as a quasi-experiment to investigate how sudden relaxation in human recreation alters site use and diel activity patterns of predator–prey assemblage. Using camera trapping data, we analyzed camera stations that were in operation during both survey periods within an identical 48-day temporal window [24 March–10 May; pre-lockdown (2019) vs. lockdown (2020)]. Spatial responses were estimated using a two-season, multi-species hierarchical site use model, and temporal responses with kernel density overlap and a probability of diurnality. Site use increased during the lockdown for apex predators and several ungulate prey, especially tiger, wild boar, and nilgai, while chital showed little change, and others showed highly uncertain changes with credible intervals overlapping zero. Prey ungulates broadly reclaimed daylight: chital and barking deer shifted mean activity peaks 2–3 h later, hog deer shifted earlier with a marked reshaping of its activity curve, and sambar moved from nocturnal to
crepuscular peaks. Tiger activity changed little overall, though diurnal activity decreased. Yearspecific
functional responses to greenness (NDVI), elevation, and human disturbance were mostly similar across years but with higher predicted site use in 2020, indicating increased habitat permeability rather than changes in habitat selection. These patterns suggest that spatial and temporal responses are only partly aligned across species, so management strategies that protect both where and when wildlife can operate—for example, zoning away from key corridors and quiet hours around dawn and dusk—may be most effective in maintaining access to critical habitats and activity periods.

Keywords: Human disturbance, Site use, Multi-species occupancy model, Diurnality, Diel activity patterns, Predator-prey interactions

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Authors: Basant Subedi, Sandeep Oli, Chiranjeevi Khanal, Santosh Bhattarai

Abstract: We herein present a checklist of 28 species of snakes in 20 genera and seven families recorded as rescues or opportunistic sightings between July 2018 and December 2024 in Dang District, Lumbini Province, Nepal. Fifteen species are in the family Colubridae, five in the family Elapidae, two each in the families Erycidae, Natricidae, and Viperidae, and one each in the families Pythonidae and Typhlopidae. We provide photographic evidence of the Streaked Kukri Snake (Oligodon taeniolatus) from the Deukhuri Valley as a new record for Nepal and an additional 13 species were new records for Dang District. The major threats observed during the study period were forest fires, forest encroachment, construction activities, and intentional killing of snakes.

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Authors: Bivek Gautam, Santosh Bhattarai

Published in: FrogLog

Link: https://www.iucn-amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/FrogLog-127-12th-December-2025.pdf

Authors: Santosh Bhattarai, Bivek Gautam, Chiranjibi Prasad Pokheral, Ram Chandra Kandel

Abstract: An updated checklist of amphibians and reptiles of Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone is presented, which is essential for conservation management decision-making as the area is experiencing frequent stochastic events in recent years. A total of 89 species is listed from Chitwan National Park including—20 frogs & toads, 42 snakes, 14 lizards, 11 turtles, and two crocodile species. The confirmed
record of Dudhwa Reed Frog Chirixalus dudhwaensis in Nepal is provided, and the occurrence of Eastern Bronze-back Tree Snake Dendrelaphis proarchos from Chitwan National Park, representing its westernmost known distribution in Nepal. In addition the presence of Hylarana tytleri and Sitana sivalensis is confirmed from Chitwan National Park. These findings contribute to filling critical knowledge gaps in species richness and offer updated insights into the taxonomy, natural history, and conservation status of herpetofauna in the park. Recent IUCN Red List mentions the geographic range of the Torrent Paha Frog Nanorana ercepeae from Chitwan National Park; based on the absence of verified records, we exclude it from updated checklist. We also suggest integrative taxonomic and ecological studies to uncover hidden diversity, and to inform evidence-based conservation strategies for amphibians and reptiles in Nepal.

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Authors: Santosh Bhattarai, Bivek Gautam, Bishal Prasad Neupane, Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray, Ishan Agarwal, Ashley R. Olson, Fiona Hogan, Wendy Wright

Journal: Zookeys

Abstract: Two new species of Cyrtodactylus from the khasiensis group are described using morphological characters supported by molecular analyses based on the mitochondrial ND2 gene. Cyrtodactylus makwanpurgadhiensis sp. nov. and C. chure sp. nov. from the Siwalik Mountains in central Nepal are at least 11.2% divergent from other Nepalese congeners and 16.7% from each other and can be distinguished by a combination of morphometric and meristic traits. The description of two new species from the Siwalik Mountains underscores the conservation significance of this region, a relatively young, dry, and geologically unstable range of the Himalayan orogen. Despite serving as a border between the lowland (Terai) and Himalayan range, it remains underrepresented in both biodiversity assessments and conservation planning in Nepal. Our findings suggest the need for a robust and targeted species research program and to prioritise this landscape for conservation actions.

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