Tytar, V., Hammer, M. (2011). Mountain ghosts: snow leopards and other animals in the mountains of the Altai Republic, Central Asia. Biosphere Expeditions.
Abstract: This study was part of an expedition to the Altai Mountains in the Kosh Agach region of the Altai Republic, run by Biosphere Expeditions from 28 June to 7 August 2010. The aim was to continue a survey of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in this area, as well as surveying the snow leopard's primary prey species, argali (Ovis ammon) and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), together with secondary prey species. Using the Snow Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS) developed by the International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT), presence/absence surveys (SLIMS form 1) of snow leopard and prey species were conducted throughout the study period across the entire survey area. In 2010 surveys were extended to areas away from the Talduair massif site to valleys and surrounding ridges of the Karaghem mountain pass. Interviews with local, semi-nomadic herders also formed an important part of the research procedure. The expedition also collected data for extended mammal, bird and plant inventories. No signs of snow leopard presence were recorded this year and there was no indication that the areas had been visited and used since the 2009 expedition. The developing relationship between the predator and prey species seems to be very fragile, so perhaps the decline in the prey species (particularly argali) may have driven the snow leopard out of the area. In addition, human disturbance is considered to be a severe and growing threat and may be responsible for the declining mammal diversity in general. Yet the study area still retains its importance as a habitat for snow leopard and as a corridor for snow leopard dispersal. The survey area urgently needs protection, but involving the local community and raising public awareness is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed. Work on establishing four additional nature parks in the Republic of Tuva and the Sailugem Nature Reserve in the Republic of Altai, which will protect the biggest Russian population of the snow leopard, is in progress.
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WWF Russia & Mongolia. (2011). WWF Newsletter Altai-Sayan Ecoregion January – March 2011. WWF Russia & Mongolia.
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Suryawanshi, K. (2011). An encounter in snow. FRONTLINE, 28(10).
Abstract: In the trans-Himalayan region, a conservation effort has reduced conflicts between snow leopards and pastoralists. Photographs & text by author.
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Kinoshita, K., Inada, S., Seki, K., Sasaki, A., Hama, N., Kusunoki, H. (2011). Long-Term Monitoring of Fecal Steroid Hormones in Female Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) during Pregnancy or Pseudopregnancy. PLoS ONE, 6(5), e19314. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019314.
Abstract: Knowledge of the basic reproductive physiology of snow leopards is required urgently in order to develop a suitable management conditions under captivity. In this study, the long-term monitoring of concentrations of three steroid hormones in fecal matter of three female snow leopards was performed using enzyme immunoassays: (1) estradiol-17β, (2) progesterone and (3) cortisol metabolite. Two of the female animals were housed with a male during the winter breeding season, and copulated around the day the estradiol-17β metabolite peaked subsequently becoming pregnant. The other female was treated in two different ways: (1) first housed with a male in all year round and then (2) in the winter season only. She did not mate with him on the first occasion, but did so latter around when estradiol-17β metabolite peaked, and became pseudopregnant. During pregnancy, progesterone metabolite concentrations increased for 92 or 94 days, with this period being approximately twice as long as in the pseudopregnant case (31, 42, 49 and 53 days). The levels of cortisol metabolite in the pseudopregnant female (1.35 µg/g) were significantly higher than in the pregnant females (0.33 and 0.24 µg/g) (P<0.05). Similarly, during the breeding season, the levels of estradiol-17β metabolite in the pseudopregnant female (2.18 µg/g) were significantly higher than those in the pregnant females (0.81 and 0.85 µg/g) (P<0.05). Unlike cortisol the average levels of estradiol-17β during the breeding season were independent of reproductive success.
The hormone levels may also be related to housing conditions and the resulting reproductive success in female leopards. The female housed with a male during the non-breeding season had high levels of cortisol metabolites and low levels of estradiol-17β in the breeding season, and failed to become pregnant. This indicates that housing conditions in snow leopards may be an important factor for normal endocrine secretion and resulting breeding success.
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Devendra, T. & C., M. (2010). Population and habitat of Himalayan thar (Hemitragus jemlahicus) in Langtang Himalaya, Langtang National Park (LNP), Nepal. Special issue on the occasion of 15th Wildlife Week, (2067), 37–46.
Abstract: A survey of Himalayan Thar was carried out in Langtang valley in response to the lacking of scientific information of its population status and distribution in the area. The study was carried out from Ghodatabela to Langsisa Kharka during April to June of 2003/04/2005. The area was divided into 5 survey blocks measuring 5sqkm each and study was conducted through blocks. Observed herds and individual animals were repeatedly counted and recorded. A total of 218 individuals of different age and sex Himalayan Thar were recorded during the study in 8 different herds. Three types of herds were recognized; Adult male-adult female-young (37.5%), Adult female-young (37.5%) and All adult-male (25%). Survey revealed that 50% of Thar herds were observed in 4200-4900m (Fourth block) and least (12%) were in 3700-4000m (First block), animals were not located in 3850-4200m (Third, Fifth block). Stratified random sampling was done to analyze the vegetation in their habitat and identified 26 potential plant species. The encroachment of their habitat is severe by the excessive livestock grazing and utilization for cowshed. Noticeable disturbance felt due to frequent poaching and tourist flow. The conservation of this species seems vital as it is prime prey species of Snow leopard in LNP.
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Sharma, K., McCarthy, T. (2011). Counting cats: toward a framework for evaluating snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conservation efforts.
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Hameed, S. (2010). Population status of the snow leopard and its conflict with local people in laspur valley, Chitral, Pakistan. Master's thesis, , Pakistan.
Abstract: The present study was designed to determine the status of snow leopard in Laspur valley, Chitral (Khyber Pakhtunkhawa) by using multiple census methods.
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Ashraf, N. (2010). Competition For Food Between Markhor And Domestic Goat In Chitral, Pakistan. Master's thesis, , Pakistan.
Abstract: The present study was, therefore, designed to collect data on feeding aspects of Markhor and domestic goat in Chitral area, in order to examine the extent of resource competition between two species. The objectives of study were;
To analyze the food composition of Markhor and domestic goat.
To determine the degree of competition between Markhor and domestic goat in terms of forage consumption.
To provide recommendation for managing Markhor habitat and reducing competition with domestic livestock.
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Khatoon, R. (2010). Snow leopard (uncia uncia) diet selection in the Chitral area. Master's thesis, , Pakistan.
Abstract: The present study will also show the dependence of snow leopard on wild prey versus domestic livestock as a food. This study will also help to estimate the highest livestock loss tends to occur in the areas due to which human and snow leopard conflict arises. As food selection varies according to the environment and availability of prey species therefore a diet study in local context would help to improve understanding of feeding ecology, and also provide scientific basis for effective conservation measures.
The objectives of the present study are
To determine the food preference of snow leopard in wild
To determine seasonal variation in selection of food by snow leopard.
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Padmanabhan, S. (2011). Rinchen Wangchuk – (1969-2011). Sanctuary Asia, .
Abstract: On March 26, 2011, the world of conservation became poorer by the passing away of Rinchen Wangchuk, the Founder and Director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy-India Trust (SLC-IT) in Leh. Rinchen had been ill for the past three years, having been diagnosed with a deteriorating neurological condition for which traditional medical systems and allopathy have no cure yet. Over the past decade, Rinchen, affectionately referred to as the “snow leopard man” by friends, had played a pivotal role in Ladakh, having initiated one of the most successful community-based initiatives that had changed local people’s perceptions of predators like the snow leopard and Tibetan wolf from “pests” to a valued asset.
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