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Namgay, K. (2007). Snow Leopard and Prey Population Conservation in Bhutan.
Abstract: Snow leopard conservation work in Bhutan dates back to 1999 and 2000 when the International Snow Leopard Trust-in collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan and World Wildlife Fund-initiated a training workshop. More than 30 government staff were trained in SLIMS survey techniques. As a part of the training exercise, a preliminary survey on snow leopard was also carried out using the SLIMS methods in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park. Based on the survey results, we estimated there was a population of 100 snow leopards in the wild and 10,000 km2 of habitat. In 2005, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) organized the WWF/South Asia Regional Workshop on Snow leopard Conservation in Bhutan. Both regional (Bhutan, India, China, Nepal and Pakistan) and international experts revisited the snow leopard programs and developed a work plan for the overall conservation of the snow leopard in the region. This led to WWF's Regional Snow leopard Conservation Strategy. WWF is pleased to submit our final report to the International Snow Leopard Trust on the oneyear, $8,000 grant in support of Snow Leopard and Prey Population Conservation in Bhutan. With the support of the Snow Leopard Trust, we have made great strides towards achieving our goal for this project: To determine the current status of snow leopard and ungulate prey populations in prime snow leopard habitats. Major accomplishments and activities completed thanks to the generous support of the International Snow Leopard Trust include:
Signed of a Terms of Reference between Royal Government, International Snow Leopard
Trust – India, World Wildlife Fund and International Snow Leopard Trust -US;
Developed a joint revised project work plan; and
Purchased basic field supplies and equipment needed for the surveys planned.
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Andriuskevicius, A. (1980). Occurrance of Snow Leopards in the Soviet Union. International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, 2, 59–69.
Abstract: Outlines status and distribution of snow leopard in USSR, including comments on reserves created for the species.
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Ming, M. (2004). Study on Snow Leopards in Xinjiang (Training Guide).
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Sloane, A., Kelly, C., McDavitt, S., & Marples, N. (1998). Big cats in captivity: a quantitative analysis of enrichment. Adv.Etho, 33, 43.
Abstract: Studies on three species of big cats at Dublin Zoo have led to firm conclusions about the effects of certain forms of enrichment, some of which will be presented here. Lions, jaguars, and snow leopards were studied over two years and their behaviours quantified using focal animal sampling during selected hours during daylight. By comparison of these activity budgets with and without the enrichments being present, it was possible to identify the exact behavioural changes caused by each enrichment method, and to quantify these changes. In this contribution we present results showing that the presence of a platform in both lion and jaguar enclosures dramatically reduced stereotypic pacing behaviour. We will demonstrate that the effects of short term enrichment devices may have a wide range of effects on behaviours which outlast the presence of the stimulus. For instance scents added to the cage, or food/play items such as horse hides, hidden fish or ice-blocks often reduce pacing and increase resting later in the day, even after the cats have ceased using the enrichment items. This reduction in pacing and increase in resting time often meant that the amount of the enclosure used per hour was actually reduced with the presence of new stimuli, as result opposite to what might have been expected. The results of these studies will be discussed in relation to effective animal management.
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Thapa, K. (2005). Is their any correlation between abundance of blue sheep population and livestock depredation by snow leopards in the Phu Valley, Manang District, Annapurna Conservation Area? Final report.
Abstract: This study was undertaken in the Phu valley of Manang district in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal,
Spring, 2004 and 2005. I used the Snow Leopard Management Information System (“second order” survey technique), to determine
the relative abundance of snow leopards in delineated areas in Phu valley. Transects routes were plotted by
randomly selected feasible landforms such as along ridgelines, cliff bases and river bluffs where snow
leopards sign is likely to be found. Altogether, 16 transects (total length of 7.912 km) were laid down (mean
transect length=0.495 km). They revealed, 54 sign sites (both relic and non-relic) and altogether 88 signs (72
scrapes, 11 feces, 3 scent mark, 2 pugmarks and 1 hair) were recorded (6.8 site/km and 11.1 signs/km). There
were 61.1% non-relic and 38.9% relic sites. The density of snow leopards in Phu Valley may be 4-5 snow
leopards/100 kmý.It was found that the Ghyo block had the highest sign density (13.6 mean sign item/km)
and Phu block (9.8 mean sign item/km) and the lowest in Ngoru block (3.9 mean sign item/km.). For blue sheep, direct count method was applied from different appropriate vantage points (fixed-point
count). I counted total individuals in each herd and classified all individuals whenever possible, using 8 X24
binocular and 15-60x spotting scope. A total 37 blue sheep herds and 1209 individuals were observed in
192.25 kmý of the study area (blue sheep density, 6.3 kmý). Average herd size was 32.68. Herd size varied
from 1 to 103 animals (the largest so far recorded). The average sex ratio male to female for the entire survey
area was 0.67. Recruitment rate was 47.13. The ratio of yearlings to adult female was 0.45. In Ghyo block
had total 168 blue sheep (area, 44.08 km2 or 3.8/ km2 i.e. 137.2 kg/ kmý). Blue sheep density in Ngoru block
showed 4.7/km2 (area, 65.47 km2). Highest density of blue sheep among three blocks was recorded in Phu
block, 8.9/km2 (or 320 kg/km2) in its 82.70 km2 area. A standard questionnaire was designed, and interviews conducted for relevant information was collected on
livestock depredation patterns (total household survey). Out of 33 households surveyed, 30 reported that they
had livestock depredation by the snow leopard in 2004. Altogether 58 animals were reportedly lost to snow
leopards (3.1% of the total mortality). Out of the estimated standing available biomass (1, 83,483kg) in the
Phu valley at least 2220 kg or 1.3% of the total livestock biomass was consumed by snow leopards in the
year of our study (2004). It was estimated that in the Phu valley annually 1.8 animals were lost per household
to snow leopards. This means approx. Rs.413560 (US$ 5,908) is lost annually in the valley (US$
179/household/annum). Ghyo block, had the highest animals loss (53.4%), followed by Phu block (36.2%)
and Ngoru block (10.3%) to snow leopards. There is positive correlation among the densities of blue sheep, relative abundance of the snow leopard and
livestock depredation. Blue sheep is the main prey species of the snow leopard in Phu valley and its
conservation therefore matters to reduce livestock depredation. A general patterns appears here that shows
that blue sheep (prey) abundance determine snow leopard (predator) abundance and that livestock
depredation by snow leopards may be minimal where there is good population of blue sheep, and vice versa.
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Shi, K., Jun, Z. F. S., Zhigang, D., Riordan, P., & MacDonald, D. (2009). Reconfirmation of snow leopards in Taxkurgan Nature Reserve, Xinjiang, China. Oryx, 43(2), 169–170.
Abstract: China may hold a greater proportion of the global snow leopard Panthera uncia population than any other country, with the area of good quality suitable habitat, estimated at nearly 300,000 km2, comprising .50% of that available across the species' entire range. We can now reconfirm the presence of snow leopard in the Taxkurgan area of Xinjiang Province in north-west China after a period of 20 years.
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Wahlberg, C. (1980). Autopsy findings and causes of death in captive snow leopards (Panthera uncia): a preliminary report. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards (Vol. 2, pp. 205–217). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Bohnett, E., Holmberg, J., Faryabi, S. P., An, L., Ahmad, B., Rashid, W., Ostrowski, S. (2023). Comparison of two individual identification algorithms for snow leopards (Panthera uncia) after automated detection. Ecological Informatics, 77(102214), 1–14.
Abstract: Photo-identification of individual snow leopards (Panthera uncia) is the primary data source for density estimation via capture-recapture statistical methods. To identify individual snow leopards in camera trap imagery, it is necessary to match individuals from a large number of images from multiple cameras and historical catalogues, which is both time-consuming and costly. The camouflaged snow leopards also make it difficult for machine learning to classify photos, as they blend in so well with the surrounding mountain environment, rendering applicable software solutions unavailable for the species. To potentially make snow leopard individual identification available via an artificial intelligence (AI) software interface, we first trained and evaluated image classification techniques for a convolutional neural network, pose invariant embeddings (PIE) (a triplet loss network), and compared the accuracy of PIE to that of the HotSpotter algorithm (a SIFT-based algorithm). Data were acquired from a curated library of free-ranging snow leopards taken in Afghanistan between 2012 and 2019 and from captive animals in zoos in Finland, Sweden, Germany, and the United States. We discovered several flaws in the initial PIE model, such as a small amount of background matching, that was addressed, albeit likely not fixed, using background subtraction (BGS) and left-right mirroring (LR) techniques which demonstrated reasonable accuracy (Rank 1: 74% Rank-5: 92%) comparable to the Hotspotter results (Rank 1: 74% Rank 2: 84%)The PIE BGS LR model, in conjunction with Hotspotter, yielded the following results: Rank-1: 85%, Rank-5: 95%, Rank-20: 99%. In general, our findings indicate that PIE BGS LR, in conjunction with HotSpotter, can classify snow leopards more accurately than using either algorithm alone.
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Weilemann P. (1982). Experiences in births of snow leopards in Zurich Zoo. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 3 (Vol. 3, pp. 111–116). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Pfeil, A., Lucker, H., & Pfeil, I. (2004). Leiomyoma in the urinary bladder of a female snow leopard (Uncia uncia, Schreber, 1776). Tier„rztliche Praxis Kleintiere, 32(1), 40–44.
Abstract: Summary
A leiomyoma of the urinary bladder in a 14-year-old female snow leopard exhibiting bloody vaginal discharge was removed by partial cystectomy. Gravel (struvite) was found in the urine of the inflammatory bladder. Additionally ovario-hysterectomy was performed. Histological findings showed a glandular-cystic hyperplasia. Tumors of the bladder are very rare in cats. Specifically the benign tumors of the bladder very often have no clinical relevance and rarely result in bladder dysfunction. Therefore they might remain undiagnosed in many cases, particularly since the diagnostic procedure in big cats is very extensive. Leiomyoma of the bladder in snow leopards have not been described yet. The present paper describes the surgery performed, the succeeding therapy, the struvit prophylaxis, and discusses the aetiology of the leiomyoma's origin on the basis of current literature. Zusammenfassung
Bei einer 14-j„hrigen Schneeleopardin mit blutigem Vaginalausfluss wurde ein Leiomyom der Blase durch partielle Zystektomie entfernt. Im Urin und in der entzndeten Blase konnte Grieá (Struvit) nachgewiesen werden. Gleichzeitig wurde eine Ovariohysterektomie durchgefhrt. Der histologische Befund ergab eine glandul„r-zystische Hyperplasie des Endometriums. Tumoren der Harnblase sind bei Katzen sehr selten. Vor allem benigne Blasentumoren haben oft keine klinische Relevanz und fhren selten zu Blasenfunktionsst”rungen. Es ist daher m”glich, dass sie insbesondere bei Groákatzen wegen der aufwendigen Diagnostik bersehen werden. Leiomyome in der Blase sind beim Schneeleoparden bisher nicht beschrieben. In diesem Artikel werden die durchgefhrte Operation, die folgende Therapie und Struvitprophylaxe beschrieben sowie m”gliche Žtiologien der Entstehung des Leiomyoms anhand der Literatur diskutiert.
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Begg, T. (1978). Nutritional bone disease in the snow leopard. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 1 (Vol. 1, pp. 104–107). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Rieger, I. (1982). Breeding ounces, Uncia uncia (Schreber, 1775) in zoological gardens. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 3 (Vol. 3, pp. 49–50). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Kitchener, S. L., Meritt, & Rosenthal, M. (1975). Observations on the breeding and husbandry of snow leopards, Panthera uncia. Int.Zoo Yearbook, 15, 212–217.
Abstract: Describes adult care and breeding biology, and the care, growth, and mortality factors of young snow leopards in a successful breeding program in the Lincon Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois.
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Jackson, R., Roe, J., Wangchuk, R., & Hunter, D. (2005). Camera-Trapping of Snow Leopards. Cat News, 42(Spring), 19–21.
Abstract: Solitary felids like tigers and snow leopards are notoriously difficult to enumerate, and indirect techniques like pugmark surveys often produce ambiguous information that is difficult to interpret because many factors influence marking behavior and frequency (Ahlborn & Jackson 1988). Considering the snow leopard's rugged habitat, it is not surprising then that information on its current status and occupied range is very limited. We adapted the camera-trapping techniques pioneered by Ullas Karanth and his associates for counting Bengal tigers to the census taking of snow leopards in the Rumbak watershed of the India's Hemis High Altitude National Park (HNP), located in Ladakh near Leh (76ø 50' to 77ø 45' East; 33ø 15' to 34ø 20'North).
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Freeman, H. (1980). The snow leopard, today and yesterday. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 2 (Vol. 2, pp. 37–43). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Blomqvist, L. (1978). Photos of snow leopards. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 1 (Vol. 1, pp. 141–151). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Worley, M. B. (1982). Chronic liver disease in snow leopards: A possible viral etiology. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 3 (Vol. 3, pp. 131–133). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Ruedi, D., Heldstab, A., Wiesner, H., & Keller, P. (1978). Liver cirrhosis in the snow leopard (Uncia uncia): Case histories of three animals and suggestion of some diagnostic possibilities. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 1 (Vol. 1, pp. 113–129). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Vogt, P. (1982). New enclosures for snow leopards (Uncia uncia) at Krefeld Zoo. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 3 (Vol. 3, pp. 67–70). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Worley, M. B. (1982). Hypogammaglobulinemia in snow leopards. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 3 (Vol. 3, pp. 129–130). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Velte, F. (1982). Snow leopards at the Seneca Zoological Park, Rochester. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, Vol. 3 (Vol. 3, pp. 55–58). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Nishine, Y. (1998). The captive snow leopard programme (SSCJ) in Japan. In L. Blomqvist (Ed.), International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards (Vol. 7, pp. 21–25). Helsinki: Helsinki Zoo.
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Green, M. J. B. (1987). Protected areas and snow leopards: their distribution and status. Tiger Paper, 14(4), 1–10.
Abstract: Considerable efforts have been devoted to conserving the snow leopard Panthera uncia in recent years, but progress has inevitably been slow due to the difficulties of studying a sparsely distributed, secretive and endangered species in often isolated mountainous terrain. Although knowledge about the species overall distribution in the highlands of Central Asia still remains fragmenatry, it is important to briefly examine all the available information in order to review measures taken to date to conserve the species through the protected areas network. The purpose of this paper is to examine the distribution and status of protected areas inhabited or visited by snow leopard in relation to the species' distribution and highlight deficiences in the present network.
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Wang, X., & Schaller, G. B. (1996). Status of large mammals in Western Inner Mongolia, China. Journal of East China Normal University (Special Issue of Zoology), , 93–104.
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Ming, M., Yun, G., & Bo, W. (2008). Chinese snow leopard team goes into action. Man & the Biosphere, 54(6), 18–25.
Abstract: China, the world's most populous country, also contains the largest number of Snow Leopards of any country in the world. But the survey and research of the snow leopard had been very little for the second half of the 20th century. Until recent years, the members of Xinjiang Snow Leopards Group (XSLG/SLT/XFC) , the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences have been tracking down the solitary animal. The journal reporter does a face-to-face interview with professor Ma Ming who is a main responsible expert of the survey team. By the account of such conversation, we learn the achievements, advances and difficulty of research of snow leopards in the field, Tianshan and Kunlun, Xinjiang, the far west China, and we also know that why the team adopt the infrared camera to capture the animals. Last but not least professor talked about the survival menace faced by the Snow Leopards in Xinjiang.
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