Author: Rakhee Karumbaya

SLN Webinar: Evaluating snow leopard population connectivity: is Kazakhstan a bridge for gene flow between the northern and southwestern range?

SLN invites you to join us for our next webinar based on this recent publication:

About the Talk:

The number of studies on snow leopard ecology has surged dramatically over the past few decades. However, despite this increase, many essential aspects of the species biology, which are critical for shaping effective conservation and management strategies, remain poorly understood. A particularly crucial area of research is the population connectivity and genetic structure of snow leopards across their naturally fragmented range.

In our study, we focused on the Dzungarian region, specifically Kazakhstan, which has been repeatedly identified as a potentially significant area of connectivity between the southwestern and northern portions of the snow leopard range. We analyzed genetic data (mtDNA and microsatellites) of snow leopards from Russia, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan to recognize both historical and recent signatures of gene flow between the major fragmented regions of the species’ distribution. Our results confirm the Dzungarian region’s role as a crucial area of connectivity between the core and northern populations, thereby providing empirical support for prior habitat-and connectivity-model predictions. However, we did not find clear evidence to unambiguously identify whether Kazakhstan or Chinese Xinjiang serves as the primary corridor linking these two fragmented parts of the snow leopard range. We believe that connectivity across the global species’ range likely relies on several narrow corridors forming contact zones, facilitated by the species’ capacity for long-distance movements.

Further research efforts are needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of population connectivity in this focal region. Considering the Dzungarian region’s potential to support gene flow between the two major portions of the snow leopard range, conservation strategies should prioritize the preservation of habitats that can function as “stepping stones” to facilitate migration between the Tian Shan and the northern populations in Mongolia and Russia.

About our Speaker:

 

Dr. Miroslav Korablev is a Russian zoologist and senior researcher at the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences. His multidisciplinary work spans ecology, population genetics and morphometry across a broad array of mammals – including mustelids, canids, felids and rodents – with a particular emphasis on carnivore population genetics and ecology. A flagship focus of Dr. Korablev’s research is the snow leopard, especially the northernmost populations inhabiting the Altai and Sayan mountain ranges of Russia and Mongolia. Through detailed analyses of genetic diversity, population structure and connectivity both within this region and across the species’ wider range, his studies have yielded critical insights into the viability of these transboundary populations and the threats they face.

 

 

About our Facilitator:

 

Alexander Karnaukhov is a trained, certified, enthusiastic and capable conservation biologist with over 20 years of field experience in the Altai-Sayan (Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan) and Central Asian (Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic) ecoregions, with most of that field work conducted in snow leopard habitat. Since 2010, he’s been intensively working with camera traps. At this time roughly 400 cameras in 9 project sites in Russia have been installed with his direct participation or advisory support. Over the past 13 years, his team has succeeded in stabilizing the snow leopard population in Altai-Sayan ecoregion and to slightly increase snow leopard numbers in several areas (for example, in Sailugemsky National Park in Altai mountain).

 

Date/Time:

Tuesday, 18th November at 15:00 PM (Bishkek time)

Location:

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note:

  • If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
  • Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
  • Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session

 

New Article to the Bibliography

Please find details below of a new article added to our Bibliography:

Title: Understanding multiple pathways of the impacts of socio-­ economic shocks on large carnivores

Author: Murali, R., Adabaeva, A., AnMuralgulo, S., Arispe, R., Baumann, M., Ghoddousi, A., Hamidi, A. K., Jansen, M., Khalatbari, L., Khorozyan, I., Maillard, O., Muller, D., Munoz, A. R., Rosen, T., Rumiz, D., Soshin, A., Yusefi, G. H., Kummerle, T.

Abstract: 1. Large carnivores are ecologically, economically and socially important, but they are also among the most threatened species worldwide. These species face numerous threats, most importantly habitat transformation, prey depletion and hunting. All of these threats could be exacerbated by socio-­ economic shocks—such as financial crises, wars, pandemics or political regime shifts—that can cause sudden and
structural changes in social-­ ecological systems. However, the different pathways through which such shocks impact large carnivores are unclear.
2. Here, we used a social-­ ecological systems approach to build a conceptual framework that investigates these pathways. We used expert workshops and case-­ specific, narrative literature reviews to illustrate this framework for three cases: (1) impacts of economic sanctions on the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) in Iran, (2) impacts of global commodity price shocks on the jaguar (Panthera onca) in Bolivia and (3) impacts of the collapse of the Soviet Union on the snow leopard (P. uncia) in Kyrgyzstan.
3. We found that conservation and agricultural institutions were crucial for carnivore conservation, despite the different nature of the shocks and the different socio-­ economic settings across cases. We identified linkages between carnivore conservation and the global economy at the levels of nations and communities,
which increased the vulnerability of carnivores to shocks.
4. Our cases highlighted the need to proactively create resilient institutions focused on local capacity building, enhancement of social stability and built on internal motivations for conservation, to secure the future of large carnivores in turbulent times.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1787

Protecting wildlife, habitats and communities with EarthRanger

 

EarthRanger – Protecting wildlife and ecosystems with data-driven insights. We bring you an overview of the EarthRanger platform for protecting wildlife and ecosystems with data-driven insights. EarthRanger brings everything together—collect data from the field, integrate your technology, see your wildlife and teams in real time, create reports and visualizations to summarize your data, and develop strategies that accelerate your impact. Since its inception in 2015, EarthRanger has helped protected area managers make informed, conservation-related operational decisions. It is also used by ecologists and biologists to study wildlife and habitats, and to advocate for their protection.


 

New Article to the Bibliography

 

Please find details below of a new article added to our Bibliography:

Title: Community-Based Snow Leopard Monitoring through Mobile Technology

Author: Pratihast, A. K., Sharma, N., Cappello, C., Schlueter, J., van Eupen, M., Subedi, A., Tymofeiev, I., Kaupisch, K., Subedi, N.

Abstract: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), a flagship species of high-altitude ecosystems, faces critical threats, including human-wildlife conflict driven by livestock depredation. We developed a community-based snow leopard monitoring system in Nepal’s Nar and Phu Valley, integrating mobile-based tools for data collection and conflict mitigation. Using the mobile app, local communities documented 483 snow leopard observations (e.g., footprints) between 2023 and 2024. Additionally, we found that the majority of the existing 91 livestock corrals lacked protection from predators. In response, we constructed eight predator-proof corrals to improve
livestock protection. A total of 21 herders filed applications to claim livestock loss compensation, demonstrating the utility of our app to facilitate conflict management efforts. The app usage rate has increased over the years, but challenges like limited mobile connectivity in remote areas and the need for continuous training and local engagement remain to improve its long term uptake. The findings contribute to strategies aimed at reducing human-snow leopard conflicts while fostering coexistence.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1786

New Article to the Bibliography

Please find details below of a new article added to our Bibliography:

Title: Evaluating snow leopard population connectivity: is Kazakhstan a bridge for gene flow between the northern and southwestern range?

Author: Miroslav, P. K., Grachev, A. A., Poyarkov, A. D., Saparbayev, S. K., Hernandez-Blanco, J. A., Bespalov, S. V., Bespalov, M. V., Baidavletov, Y. R., Alexandrov, D. Y., Karnaukhov, A. S., Malykh, S. V., Munkhtsog, B., Bayaraa, M., Rozhnov, V. V.

Abstract: The number of studies on snow leopard (Panthera uncia) ecology has surged dramatically over the past few decades. However, despite this increase, many essential aspects of the species biology, which are critical for shaping effective conservation and management strategies, remain poorly understood. A particularly crucial area of research is the population connectivity and genetic structure of snow leopards across their naturally fragmented range. In our study, we focused on the Dzungarian region, specifically Kazakhstan, which has been repeatedly identified as a potentially significant area of connectivity between the southwestern and northern portions of the snow leopard range. We analyzed 54 sequences of mtDNA control region and 73 individual microsatellite multilocus genotypes of snow leopards from Russia, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan to recognize both historical and recent signatures of gene flow between the major fragmented regions of the species’ distribution. Our results confirm the Dzungarian region’s role as a crucial area of connectivity between the core and northern populations, thereby providing empirical support for prior habitat- and connectivity-model predictions. However, we did not find clear evidence to unambiguously identify whether Kazakhstan or Chinese Xinjiang serves as the primary corridor linking these two fragmented parts of the snow leopard range. Further research efforts are needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of population connectivity in this focal region. Considering the Dzungarian region’s potential to support gene flow between the two major portions of the snow leopard range, conservation strategies should prioritize the preservation of habitats that can function as “stepping stones” to facilitate migration between the Tian Shan and the northern populations in Mongolia and Russia.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1785

New Article to the Bibliography

Please find details below of a new article added to our Bibliography:

Title: Snow Leopards: What’s Next?

Author: Lovari, S., Ferretti, F.

Abstract: In 2003–2023, the number of papers on snow leopards has grown by a 20‐fold increase. An important missing topic has been the variation of ecological parameters because of the ongoing meteorological change and the relevant effects on leopard food resources, i.e. distribution and numbers of wild herbivores. Also, information on prey populations from camera‐traps set for leopards requires caution: in fact, meso-large carnivores and herbivores use the habitat differently. Questionnaire methodology deserves attention, too.

URL:  https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1784

 

New Article to the Bibliography

Please find details below of a new article added to our Bibliography:

Title: Searching for a needle in a haystack: Population estimation of snow leopards in the western Mongolian Altai by means of camera-trapping

Author: Augugliaro, C., Atzeni, L., Rovero, F., Rosembaum, B., Munkhtsog, B., Monti, I. E., Ciaramella, D., Christe, P., Zimmermann, F.

Abstract: Apex carnivores such as the snow leopard are notoriously difficult to monitor, and gathering abundance data presents technical and analytical challenges. Such information is scarce for the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), which is threatened by habitat degradation, decline of wild prey, and retaliatory killing. With this study, we fill a knowledge gap by conducting camera-trapping surveys in two national parks (NPs) and one Strictly Protected Area (SPA) in previously under-surveyed habitats in the western Mongolian Altai. We report low detection rates in the two NPs, respectively 14 detections in the Silkhem-B (513 km2) and two detections in Tavan Bogd (720 km2), preventing us from adopting spatial capture-recapture frameworks (SCR). In the Khork Serkhe SPA, we surveyed an area of 811 km2 and tested the effect of elevation on the density parameter (D) and explored relationships between the encounter probability (λ0) and the ranging parameter (σ) with behavioral, topographical, and biotic covariates. We also evaluated the effect of topography in determining movements across activity centers. We obtained 32 detection events of 10 adult snow leopards. Snow leopard density (95 % CI) estimates from the first two top models were 0.93 (0.45–1.8) and 0.92 (0.48–1.9) individuals/100 km2. Density from the best models was weakly dependent on elevation. Baseline encounter probability varied with the behavioral response covariate (bk), indicating changes in detection probability after initial capture, and activity centers were influenced by ruggedness. This study represents an additional effort toward establishing robust density data for the elusive and threatened snow leopard, confirming previous observations of low densities in the Westernmost Altai Mountains. By providing site-specific population estimates in this area, it contributes to the PAWS initiative, enhancing our understanding of snow leopard population densities and distribution in this critical part of their range.

 

SLN Webinar: Protecting wildlife, habitats and communities with EarthRanger

 

SLN invites you to join us for our next webinar

About the Talk:

EarthRanger – Protecting wildlife and ecosystems with data-driven insights. We bring you an overview of the EarthRanger platform for protecting wildlife and ecosystems with data-driven insights. EarthRanger brings everything together—collect data from the field, integrate your technology, see your wildlife and teams in real time, create reports and visualizations to summarize your data, and develop strategies that accelerate your impact. Since its inception in 2015, EarthRanger has helped protected area managers make informed, conservation-related operational decisions. It is also used by ecologists and biologists to study wildlife and habitats, and to advocate for their protection.

Our Speakers:

Antony Lynam works for the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2), designing conservation solutions and managing partnerships for EarthRanger, Asia/ Oceania. He previously worked for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). An Australian national, he has >30 years of experience conducting research and using evidence-based approaches to advise wildlife conservation projects and initiatives in Australia, the United States (California), Africa and Asia and has served as a technical advisor for wildlife conservation projects in the Greater Mekong (Lao, Myanmar, Cambodia), Southeast Asian Archipelago (Philippines, Indonesia), South Asia and Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka), and Temperate Grasslands (Mongolia) regions of Asia. He has designed training curricular and trained government research, wildlife and protected area staff, and university students in wildlife survey and monitoring, conservation and protection techniques. Antony helped organize some of the first multiagency wildlife law enforcement training courses in the region and helps train and develop conservation capacity for local NGOs. He has written and helped implement recovery programmes for tigers, Asian elephants, and tapirs and recently served as the Subregional Support Officer to the CITES Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme in Southeast Asia. Antony provided inputs to the IUCN Guidelines for Managing Wildlife Crimes in Protected Areas and serves on the IUCN Cat Specialist Group. He previously led the SMART Training Taskforce and has organized SMART training exercises globally. He is a Past-President of the Society for Conservation Biology. Antony has written or contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed research and popular articles related to wildlife conservation.

 

Purevjav (Pujii) Lkhagvajav is the Executive Director for Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation NGO and Program director for Snow Leopard Trust in Mongolia, where she has spent time studying snow leopards in the South Gobi region and conducting population surveys across Mongolia’s most critical snow leopard habitat. She has trained over 100 rangers, specialists in survey techniques and camera trap monitoring, and building sustainable capacity for snow leopard research throughout Mongolia.

 

 

 

Choidogjamts Byambasuren works as a research and monitoring specialist at the non-governmental organization Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation in Mongolia. Since 2020, he has been working to increase the knowledge and capacity of community volunteer rangers, to motivate them, and to facilitate their field work. The SMART program is being used to facilitate the patrolling of rangers and the collection and transmission of monitoring data.

 

 

Date/Time:

Wednesday, 1st October at 14:30 PM (Bishkek time)

Location:

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note:

  • If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
  • Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
  • Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session

 

New Article to the Bibliography

Please find details below of a new article added to our Bibliography:

Title: Population genetic structure of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in Bhutan and connectivity with regional populations

Author: Dhendup, T., Robinson, J. J., Sorger, G., Wangdi, S., Hacker, C., Yuguang, Z., Janecka, J. E.

Abstract: Bhutan supports a globally important snow leopard (Panthera uncia) population, with recent surveys indicating an increase in population size. To better understand this population, a nationwide survey conducted from 2022 to 2023 combined camera-trapping and non-invasive genetic sampling of scat to estimate abundance and population connectivity. Among 184 collected scat samples, genetic analysis using eight microsatellite markers and the sex-determining region Y identified 21 unique individuals, with a sex ratio skewed towards females (two females per male). Measures of genetic diversity and population connectivity were collected through the genotyping of 21 additional microsatellite loci in 16 individuals. While moderate genetic diversity was observed (HO =0.466 ±0.039, HE =0.496 ±0.034), no distinct population clusters were detected in the sampled population. On a regional scale, snow leopards from Bhutan share the most connectivity with populations in Nepal and Tibet
rather than Qinghai, China, with evidence of dispersal events from Bhutan into Nepal and Tibet, China. Bhutan’s role as a potential source population for Nepal and Tibet underscores the importance of maintaining connectivity across protected areas in the region.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1782

Community-based biodiversity monitoring system and management in Sanjiangyuan Region

 

This talk focuses on a community-based biodiversity monitoring system in the Sanjiangyuan Region, explaining how we design and deploy over 300 camera traps and how over 300 local monitors assist us in collecting data. We will also cover our methods for camera management and the incentive mechanisms used to support and motivate local monitors. The presentation will also touch upon our use of various other monitoring methods to survey ungulates and birds, as we attempt to build a comprehensive understanding of the entire ecosystem.