In the shadows of snow leopards and the Himalayas: density and habitat selection of blue sheep in Manang, Nepal.

There is a growing agreement that conservation needs to be proactive and pay increased attention to common species and to the threats they face. The blue sheep () plays a key ecological role in sensitive high-altitude ecosystems of Central Asia and is among the main prey species for the globally vulnerable snow leopard (). As the blue sheep has been increasingly exposed to human pressures, it is vital to estimate its population dynamics, protect the key populations, identify important habitats, and secure a balance between conservation and local livelihoods.