Rakhee Karumbaya – Snow Leopard Network

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

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.

New Article to the Bibliography

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

Title: From shadows to data: first robust population assessment of snow leopards in Pakistan

Author: Nawaz, M. A., Hameed, S., Din, J. U., Ali, H., Ahmad, S., Durbach, I., Ghaznavi, M., Farooque, M., Iftikhar, N., Khan, M. S. H.

Abstract: The snow leopard Panthera uncia is a flagship species of the greater Himalayan region and symbolizes the integrity of this ecological system. Within the greater Himalayas, Pakistan holds special significance as the north of the country represents a confluence of three major mountain ranges (Hindu Kush, Pamir–Karakoram, and Himalaya). However, robustly surveying and monitoring elusive, low-density species such as snow
leopards has historically been difficult in the region. As a result, our understanding of the spatial patterns in density and overall population size of snow leopards has remained conjectural in Pakistan. This lack of objective information is an obstacle to realizing effective conservation planning for the species in Pakistan, as well as the broader ecosystem within which it plays a key role. This study aimed to empirically derive population estimates for snow leopards in Pakistan, based on extensive camera trapping conducted over a decade (2010–2019), covering about 39% of the species’ range across four major mountain ranges in northern Pakistan. A total of 828 cameras were placed over 26 540 trap days, resulting in 4712 photos of snow leopards obtained from 65 different locations. Among the 53 unique individuals identified, the majority
(53%) were detected only once, with an overall recapture frequency of 2.28 times per individual. Spatial capture–recapture (SCR) was employed for population and density estimation. Model selection strongly favored a model in which density was negatively associated with distance to the closest glacier and positively associated with elevation, and baseline encounter rates were higher in the Pamir–Karakoram region and with
Reconyx cameras than in other regions and types of cameras. The estimated population size for snow leopards in Pakistan was 155 (95% CI 100–239), with a mean density of 0.16 (95% CI 0.10–0.24) animals per 100 km2. This research provides the first robust population estimate for snow leopards in this region, establishing a foundation for long-term population monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures. We recommend the integration of complementary approaches, such as non-invasive genetic methods, to validate and refine population estimates.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1792

SLN Webinar: EUROLYNX – Collaborative Research on the conservation of Eurasian lynx – and Reflections for Snow Leopard Conservation

SLN invites you to join us for our next webinar about – EUROLYNX – A Collaborative science for studying Eurasian lynx ecology at the range of its distribution.

About the Talk:

EUROLYNX is an open, collaborative network using a shared spatial database to study Eurasian lynx ecology across Europe, examining responses to habitat, human impact, prey availability, and livestock practices. Founded in 2018, it includes 54 research groups from 22 countries. The consortium has compiled extensive data, including telemetry from 803 lynx, prey records, camera-trap images, and roadkill incidents, and has published seven high-impact papers with more in progress. Key achievements include identifying general drivers of habitat selection and producing a Europe-wide habitat quality map to support conservation planning. Additional research covers lynx survival, reproduction, dispersal, predation, activity, and standardized monitoring methods such as camera traps and AI-based identification. EUROLYNX also collaborates with experts on other lynx species to advance conservation of the entire Lynx genus.

N.B. To our members who may have lynx data to share – EUROLYNX is keen to collaborate with researchers in Asia.

Following the presentation, a facilitator from the SLN Steering Committee will guide a moderated and inclusive discussion focused on a key question: What elements of the EUROLYNX model might be relevant — or not — for snow leopard research across High Asia?

The conversation will consider which elements of collaborative science, such as shared questions, coordinated analyses, or common monitoring approaches, could be useful for the Snow Leopard Network. Participants will be invited to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives. The aim is to gather input and feedback from across the network, helping SLN begin to collate reflections on whether more coordinated approaches could add value for snow leopard science and conservation.

About our Speaker:

Marco Heurich is a German wildlife ecologist and conservation biologist known for his research on forest ecosystems and large mammals. He works at the Bavarian Forest National Park, where he leads monitoring and animal management, and is a professor of wildlife ecology and conservation biology at the University of Inland Norway and at the University of Freiburg. His work combines field ecology, remote sensing, and conservation practice, with a focus on species such as lynx and deer, and he has published extensively in science and conservation. He chairs the Eurolynx and Eurowildcat initiatives and coordinates the wildlife monitoring of the German national parks.

About our Guest Member of EUROLYNX

Joe Premier is an ecologist and wildlife researcher based at the Bavarian Forest National Park in Germany, known for conservation ecology work, particularly related to the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). He has been involved in ecological research that integrates individual-based, spatially explicit population models with empirical data to better understand predator movement, habitat use, and population dynamics — tools that are important for evidence-based conservation and species reintroduction planning. Joe was heavily involved in the birth of the EUROlynx network and as the data curator helps to coordinate exchange among members in support of their research activities.

About our Facilitator:

Justine Shanti Alexander is the Country Director at WCS Mongolia program. Over the past decade, she has dedicated herself to building partnerships at both national and local levels for the conservation of threatened species across High Asia, with a specific focus on Mongolia and China. Her conservation work revolves around bridging research, community programming, and international collaborations to strengthen conservation outcomes.

One issue that holds great significance for her is finding inclusive solutions that prioritize the voices of local stakeholders and place human well-being and community resilience at the heart of wildlife conservation programs. With a scientific academic background, she earned a master’s degree in Conservation Science from Imperial College (U.K.) in 2011 and completed a Ph.D. on snow leopard conservation at Beijing Forestry University (China) in 2015.

Date/Time:

Wednesday, February 11th at 15:30 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

How genomics can inform conservation: Genomic insights into species history and current distribution of snow leopards

Genomic data can help inform conservation in numerous ways. Katie will begin by describing what insights they have been able to make regarding the evolutionary history and current status of snow leopard using whole genome sequencing data (these results are thoroughly described in the PNAS publication), and will then detail how this genomic information was used to create a new molecular tool (specifically, a SNP panel), to identify snow leopard individuals genetically from fecal samples (this project is thoroughly described in the Molecular Ecology Resources publication). Katie completes her presentation by discussing how this SNP panel can be employed across the snow leopard range to hopefully aid in existing conservation efforts. Our speaker hopes that some researchers in the audience might be interested in utilizing this SNP panel on samples from their research area and will be eager to answer any questions about how this can be done.

New Article to the Bibliography

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

Title: Integrating noninvasive genetics and SECR to estimate snow leopard population in Pakistan

Author: Ahmad, S., Solari, K. A., Durbach, I., Ali, H., Hameed, S., Din, J. U., Asif, M., Petrov, D. A., Nawaz, M. A.

Abstract: Knowledge of the abundance and density of large carnivores, such as the globally vulnerable snow leopard (Panthera uncia), is crucial for their conservation and for evaluating management measures. The snow leopard inhabits remote and harsh terrain in high-altitude regions of South and Central Asia across 12 countries. It is one of the least studied large mammals in Pakistan, and reliable data on its populations are scarce across its range. The current study adopted a new noninvasive genetics approach—a snow leopard-specific SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) panel designed for individual identification. Over one thousand putative snow leopard scats were collected along transects across the species’ distribution range in Pakistan from 2017 to 2023, of which 235 were genetically identified as belonging to snow leopards. A total of 179 snow leopard samples were successfully genotyped, yielding 56 unique individuals, comprising 63% males. Model averaging over top Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (SECR) model predicted an average density of 0.17 snow leopards per 100 km2 potential habitat (95% CL 0.130–0.225) across the species’ range in Pakistan, with an estimated population of 167.9 (95% CI 129.0–220.6). Current study findings suggest that the new SNP panel, in combination with SECR, provides an effective means of monitoring snow leopard populations. The results validate camera trap-derived population estimates and establish a reliable baseline for monitoring the snow leopard population in Pakistan. Additionally, we recommend enhancing the surveillance of protected areas, which are home to most of the snow leopard populations, to decrease poaching and facilitate the growth of both snow leopards and their prey.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1791