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The Snow Leopard Conservancy. (2001). Visitor Attitude and Market Survey for Planning Community-based Tourism Initiatives in Rural Ladakh (Vol. SLC Field Series Document No. 2.). Los Gatos, California.
Abstract: Bounded by two of the world's highest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, Ladakh is a land of exhilarating mountain landscapes, rocky gorges and a unique cultural heritage. It is also home to distinctive wildlife such as the snow leopard, blue sheep and Tibetan wild ass, all living in a unique high altitude desert ecosystem. Not surprisingly, Ladakh is becoming a sought after tourist destination for international and domestic visitors alike. Over the past two decades tourism has grown substantially, although erratically, with both positive and less positive results for Ladakh's environment and people. People are recognizing that it is important to act now and engage in an informed dialogue in order to conserve the natural and cultural resources on which the future of tourism and related incomes depend. The Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) is working in collaboration with local communities and nongovernmental organizations to foster co-existence between people and predators like the endangered snow leopard by reducing livestock depredation losses and improving household incomes in environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable ways. Well-balanced tourism is one income generating option.
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The Snow Leopard Conservancy. (2002). Visitor Satisfaction and Opportunity Survey, Manang, Nepal: Market Opportunities for Linking Community-Based Ecotourism with the Conservation of Snow Leopards in the Annpurna Conservation Area. Report prepared for WWF-Nepal Programme (Vol. SLC Field Document Series No 3).
Abstract: For the past two decades, the Manang or Nyeshang Valley has become one of the most popular
trekking routes in Nepal, attracting over 15,000 trekkers annually (Ale, 2001). The 21-day
circular trek takes the visitor from the lush southern slopes of the Annapurna massif around to
its dry northern slopes more reminiscent of Tibet, through a landscape of spectacular mountain
scenes, interesting villages and diverse cultures. The Manang region also offers prime habitat
for the endangered snow leopard, supporting an estimated 4.8 – 6.7 snow leopards per 100 sq.
km (Oli 1992). This high density has been attributed to the abundance of blue sheep, the snow
leopard's primary large prey species across the Himalayan Mountains and Tibetan Plateau.
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The Snow Leopard Conservancy. (2002). A Survey of Kathmandu-based Trekking Agencies: Market Opportunities for Linking Community-Based Ecotourism with the Conservation of Snow Leopard in the Annapurna Conservation Area. Report prepared for WWF-Nepal Programme (Vol. SLC Field Series Document No. 4). Los Gatos, California.
Abstract: In 2001 the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC), Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP), Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) and WWF-Nepal initiated a collaborative project aimed at enhancing ecotourism in the Manang area, in ways that strengthen benefits to local communities while also protecting the environment and the local culture. Manang is known for its relatively dense snow leopard population, along with supporting good numbers of blue sheep, the endangered cat's principal prey through much of the Himalaya. However, snow leopards periodically kill many livestock, leading to retributive killing by herders along with other associated people-wildlife conflict. In order to encourage the local people to better co-exist with snow leopards and other wildlife, SLC, WWF-Nepal and ACAP agreed to explore ways of providing tourism benefits to local communities as an incentive to protect this rare predator and conserve its alpine habitat. Key in this regard is the possibility of developing locally guided nature treks, and accordingly, this survey was conducted in order to assess existing market opportunities and constraints to such ecotourism enterprise.
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Wang, X., Peng, J., & Zhou, H. (2000). Preliminary observations on the distribution and status of dwarf blue sheep Pseudois schaeferi. Oryx, 34(1), 21–26.
Abstract: Describes the drastic decline of the dwarf blue sheep since the 1950's primarily due to over-hunting. There are an estimated 200 individuals remaining in a 295 square km range in Batang county, China. The authors recommend urgent protection for this species.
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Ward, A. E. (1921). Game animals of Kashmir and adjacent hill provinces. J.of Bombay Natural Historical Society., 29, 23–35.
Abstract: comments that snow leopard may take blue sheep as prey
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Wikramanayake, E. Tracking snow leopard and blue sheep, WWF conservationist Eric Wikramanayake goes on a wildlife survey in Bhutan.
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Schaller, G. (1988). Survey of Mountain Wildlife in Xinjiang, Report # 7.
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Xuedong, X., Jackson, R., & Zongyi, W. (1994). Herd characteristics and habitat use of a blue sheep population in the Qomolangma Nature Preserve. In J.L.Fox, & D.Jizeng (Eds.), (pp. 97–104). Usa: Islt.
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Yanfa, L. (1994). Snow leopard distribution, purchase locations and conservation in Qinghai Province, China. In J.L.Fox, & D.Jizeng (Eds.), (pp. 65–72). Usa: Islt.
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Yangzom, D. (1997). Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. In R.Jackson, & A.Ahmad (Eds.), (pp. 216–217). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
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