The mammalian fauna from the Central Himalaya, Nepal

Nepal harbors unique mammalian fauna, but it is poorly studied at higher elevation. Mammalian fauna were recorded in Manaslu Conservation Area, Dudhkunda and Dudhkoshi valley of Solukhumbu district and Kanchenjunga Conservation Area of Nepal during March 2011 to April 2013 along the trail and the study plots from 700m to 4400m a.s.l. Semi-structured interviews were made with local people to understand their behavior and habitats. Altogether, 29 mammalian fauna were recorded. Five species were recorded new for the areas. Overall, Carnivore species (nine) were encountered more, followed by species of the order Cetartiodactyla (seven). The highest number of mammalian fauna (18) was identified from Manaslu Conservation Area whereas the least (11) from Dudhkunda and Dudhkoshi valley. Human wildlife conflict was frequent with Himalayan Goral (Naemorhedus goral), Barking Deer (Muntiacus vaginalis), Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta), Nepal Grey Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus) and Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) for crop depredation in these areas. Although mammalian research started a long time ago, scenario of comprehensive research is not satisfactory in the Central Himalaya, Nepal.