The first snow leopard was successfully photographed in Tuva, Russia

RIA Novosti, translated by Heda Jindrak
March 12, 2010

permanent link: http://en.tuvaonline.ru/2010/03/12/5400_snowleopard.html

The participants in the first Russian-Mongolian expedition for the study of groupings of irbis (snow leopard), which took place from February 20 to March 7 on the Tsagan-Shibetu ridge (western Tuva), made the first photos of this rare predator in the republic, as announced by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of Russia.

During the field research the members of the expedition, which included specialists from the “Uvsu-Nur depression” nature reserve (Russia), from the administration of especially protected natural territories of the Ubsu-Nuur lake basin (Mongolia), and from the Institute of Biology of Mongolian Academy of Sciences, searched practically the entire Russian part of the Tsagan-Shibetu ridge, discovered 14 tracks of snow leopard and collected fecal specimens of irbis for clarification of their numbers by DNA analysis.

The scientists successfully tracked some irbises and discovered areas of active range of the predators. The members of the expedition also discovered a family group of three irbises, apparently a female with two older kittens; they also were successful in photographing the animals for the first time in Tuva.

“In the future, it is planned to set up photo-traps in these locations, to study the spatial structure of the groupings of this species on Tsagan-Shibetu,” the report notes. After preliminary evaluation of these new data, the population of snow leopard on the Russian part of the ridge is estimated at 8-9 individuals. The scientists hope to get a more accurate picture of the numbers of sex-age composition of the population after DNA analysis of the predators’ fecal samples at the IPEE RAN laboratory.

As a result of DNA analysis of biomaterials collected on the Mongolian part of the ridge Tsagan-Shibetu in 2009, the numbers of the population of this species on this territory is estimated at 9 individuals. In this way, the total numbers of the trans-border population in this center of distribution is no fewer than 17-20 individuals. In April 2010, the work on the study of trans-border groupings of irbis on Tsagan-Shibetu will be continued on Mongolian territory. The obtained data will allow not just to estimate the condition of this group, but also to offer soundly-based suggestions for its protection. The development of eco-tourism in the irbis ranges based on reports by local people in Western Tuva with support of WWF should have a positive impact on the protection and development of the population of this predator. The action is planned to start already in May of this year.

The snow leopard, or irbis, lives in the mountainous heights of the Himalayas, Hindukush, Pamir, Tian-Shan, Altai and Western Sayans, Greater Caucasus and adjacent mountains. In the summer the animals prefer not to descent below the border where trees begin to grow, and live in the high rocky regions and mountain meadows, ascending all the way to six thousand meters. In winter the snow leopard find shelter in the forests located at the elevation of two thousand meters above sea level.

Illegal but lucrative hunting for snow leopard furs has substantially reduced the population. A snow leopard skin can bring in about sixty thousand dollars on the black markets of Asia. Snow leopard is under government protection in all the countries of its range, but poaching threatens its numbers just like before. Lately the number of the snow leopard has increased somewhat, and currently there are about six thousand individuals in existence.

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4 thoughts on “The first snow leopard was successfully photographed in Tuva, Russia”

  1. http://www.wwf.ru/resources/news/article/6172

    В Туве впервые удалось сделать фото снежного барса!
    10 марта

    © Александр Куксин
    В Туве впервые сделаны фотографии ирбисов

    © Александр Куксин
    Три снежных барса на хребте Цаган-Шибэту (республика Тува) С 20 февраля по 7 марта при поддержке WWF России на хребте Цаган-Шибэту (Западная Тува) прошла первая российско-монгольская экспедиция по изучению группировки ирбиса.

    В экспедиции приняли участие специалисты заповедника «Убсунурская котловина» (Россия), Администрации ООПТ бассейна оз. Убсу-Нуур (Монголия) и Института биологии Монгольской Академии Наук.

    В ходе полевых работ участники экспедиции обследовали практически всю российскую часть хр. Цаган-Шибету, обнаружили 14 следов снежного барса и собрали 46 образцов экскрементов ирбиса для уточнения численности вида методом анализа ДНК. Ряд ирбисов удалось протропить по следам и выявить места нахождения постоянных мест маркировочной активности хищника. В таких местах в дальнейшем предполагается устанавливать фото-ловушки для изучения пространственной структуры группировки этого вида на Цаган-Шибету. «В целом, по предварительным оценкам полученных данных, численность снежного барса в российской части хребта можно оценить в 8-10 особей. Более точную картину численности и поло-возрастного состава группировки планируется получить после анализа ДНК, выделенного из экскрементов хищника в лаборатории ИПЭЭ РАН», – рассказал координатор проекта Михаил Пальцын. Стоит отметить, что в результате анализа ДНК из экскрементов ирбиса, собранных в монгольской части хр. Цаган-Шибету в 2009 г., численность вида на этой территории оценена в 9 особей. Таким образом, общая численность трансграничной группировки ирбиса в данном очаге составляет не менее 17-20 особей.

    Кроме того, в ходе экспедиции был проведен учет численности сибирского козерога (основного объекта питания ирбиса на Цаган-Шибету) и собраны сведения о случаях нападения хищника на скот. Всего в ноябре 2009-феврале 2010 гг. отмечено 6 случаев нападения снежного барса на скот. Все нападения были отмечены во время выпаса животных в горах. Ни одного случая нападения хищника на скот в кошарах не отмечено.

    Благодаря слаженной работе участников экспедиции, им удалось вытропить семью из трех ирбисов (по всей видимости, самку с подросшими котятами) и получить первые в Туве фотографии этого редкого хищника.

    В апреле 2010 г. работы по изучению трансграничной группировки ирбиса на Цаган-Шибету будут продолжены на территории Монголии. Полученные данные позволят не только оценить состояние этой группировки, но и предложить обоснованные мероприятия по ее сохранению. Одно из таких мероприятий – развитие экологического туризма в местообитаниях ирбиса на базе сообществ местных жителей в Западной Туве – начнет реализовываться при поддержке WWF уже в мае 2010 г.

    Контакт для получения дополнительной информации
    Варвара Смолина, Пресс-секретарь Алтае-Саянского отделения
    тел: +7 (3912) 913-565, факс:+7 (3912) 900-402, отправить e-mail

  2. On Behalf Of Munkhtsog, B
    Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 5:38 PM
    Subject: SLN – 1st pictures of snow leopards taken in Tuva, Russia

    Dear SLN members,
    Pictures of female with 2 cubs were taken in Tsagaan shuvuut mountain of Tuva, Russia on March 5, 2010.

    For more information, please see at http://www.wwf.ru/resources/news/article/6172

    With kind regards,
    Dr. B. Munkhtsog
    Institute of Biology, MAS

  3. Many thanks to SLN member David Mallon for his English translation of the Russian link that SLN member Munkhtsog kindly provided yesterday:

    The first Russian-Mongolian expedition to study snow leopards in the Tsagan Shibet range of Western Tuva took place from 20 February to 7 March 2010, supported by WWF-Russia. Participants included specialists form the Ubsnuur Basin Strict NR (Russia), Specially Protected Area Administration of Uvs-Nuur Basin (Mongolia) and Institute of Biology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
    During the field work, participants surveyed practically all the Russian part of Tsagan Shibet, discovered 14 tracks of snow leopards and collected 46 samples of scats for DNA analysis. Tracks were followed to identify sites of permanent marking activity. In future, it is proposed to install camera traps at these sites to study the spatial structure of the snow leopard population. The coordinator of the project, Mikhail Paltsyn, said “Through preliminary analysis of the data, it is possible to estimate a population of 8-10 snow leopards on the Russian part of Tsagaan Shibet. A more detailed picture of the abundance and the sex-age composition can be expected after DNA analysis of the scat samples at the Russian Academy of Sciences.”

    DNA analysis of scats collected on the Mongolian side of Tsagaan Shibet in 2009 indicates a population of 9 snow leopards. Therefore, the total number of this transboundary population is 17-20 individuals.

    A survey was also carried out of ibex (the main prey item of SL in the area) and evidence was collected of cases of SL predation on livestock. From November 2009 to February 2010, 6 attacks were reported. All occurred while livestock were grazing on mountain slopes and there were no attacks in corrals. Thanks to coordinated work, the field trip participants were able to track a family of 3 SL (in all probability a female with 2 subadults) and to take the first photos in Tuva of this rare carnivore.

    In April 2010, work on the trans-boundary snow leopard population on Tsagan Shibet will continue on the Mongolian side. Data collected will allow the condition of this population to be evaluated and basic measure for its conservation proposed. One of these measures – development of ecotourism in snow leopard habitat in cooperation with local inhabitants – will begin in May 2010 with the support of WWF.

    Photos by Aleksander Kuksin a) first photo of a snow leopard in Tuva; b) 3 snow leopards on the Tsagan Shibet ridge.

  4. I want to explain short story about cooperation of Russia and mOngolia. WWF Mongolia initiated and managed joint meeting with Russian and Mongolian team in last November in Kizil of Tuva Republic. During this joint meeting, we have discussed joint monitoring programme of Snow leopard and argali in trans-boundary areas. As a result of joint monitoring programme, first joint survey of Sl in Tsagaan shuvuut was organized and supported by WWF Mongolia Programme Office and Russian UNDP/GEF project.

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