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Sayer, J. A. (1980). The conservation of the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in Afghanistan. International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, 2, 55–61.
Abstract: Outlines status and distribution as well as recent sightings of snow leopard in Afganastan
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Johansson, O., Ausilio, G., Low, M., Lkhagvajav, P., Weckworth,
B., Sharma, K. (2020). The timing of breeding and independence for snow leopard females
and their cubs. Mammalian Biology, .
Abstract: Significant knowledge gaps persist on snow leopard demography
and reproductive behavior. From a GPS-collared population in Mongolia,
we estimated the timing of mating, parturition and independence. Based
on three mother–cub pairs, we describe the separation phase of the cub
from its mother as it gains independence. Snow leopards mated from
January–March and gave birth from April–June. Cubs remained with their
mother until their second winter (20–22 months of age) when cubs started
showing movements away from their mother for days at a time. This
initiation of independence appeared to coincide with their mother mating
with the territorial male. Two female cubs remained in their mothers’
territory for several months after initial separation, whereas the male
cub quickly dispersed. By comparing the relationship between body size
and age of independence across 11 solitary, medium-to-large felid
species, it was clear that snow leopards have a delayed timing of
separation compared to other species. We suggest this may be related to
their mating behavior and the difficulty of the habitat and prey capture
for juvenile snow leopards. Our results, while limited, provide
empirical estimates for understanding snow leopard ecology and for
parameterizing population models.
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Kolmstetter, C., Munson, L., & Ramsay, E. C. (2000). Degenerative spinal disease in large felids. J Zoo Wildl Med, 31(1), 15–19.
Abstract: Degenerative spinal disorders, including intervertebral disc disease and spondylosis, seldom occur in domestic cats. In contrast, a retrospective study of 13 lions (Panthera leo), 16 tigers (Panthera tigris), 4 leopards (Panthera pardis), 1 snow leopard (Panthera uncia), and 3 jaguars (Panthera onca) from the Knoxville Zoo that died or were euthanatized from 1976 to 1996 indicated that degenerative spinal disease is an important problem in large nondomestic felids. The medical record, radiographic data, and the necropsy report of each animal were examined for evidence of intervertebral disc disease or spondylosis. Eight (three lions, four tigers, and one leopard) animals were diagnosed with degenerative spinal disease. Clinical signs included progressively decreased activity, moderate to severe rear limb muscle atrophy, chronic intermittent rear limb paresis, and ataxia. The age at onset of clinical signs was 10-19 yr (median = 18 yr). Radiographic evaluation of the spinal column was useful in assessing the severity of spinal lesions, and results were correlated with necropsy findings. Lesions were frequently multifocal, included intervertebral disc mineralization or herniation with collapsed intervertebral disc spaces, and were most common in the lumbar area but also involved cervical and thoracic vertebrae. Marked spondylosis was present in the cats with intervertebral disc disease, presumably subsequent to vertebral instability. Six of the animals' spinal cords were examined histologically, and five had acute or chronic damage to the spinal cord secondary to disc protrusion. Spinal disease should be suspected in geriatric large felids with decreased appetite or activity. Radiographic evaluation of the spinal column is the most useful method to assess the type and severity of spinal lesions.
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Guerrero, D. (1998). Animal behavior concerns & solutions: snow leopard (Uncia uncia) evaluation, zoo. Anim.Keepers' Forum, 25(2), 56–58.
Abstract: The author offers advice on how a captive-raised snow leopard cub could be acclimated to humans so it could be used as a zoo “ambassador”. The cub had negative experiences with humans and lacked socialization with other animals and conspecifics. Methods of avoiding and redirecting the cub's aggressive behavior are suggested. lgh.
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Kreuzberg-Mukhina, E., Bikova, E., & Esipov, A. Regional Meeting on the Protection of Snow Leopard.
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Tytar, V., & Hammer, M. (2006). Expedition report: Surveying 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 20 June to 13 August 2004. The aim was to conduct a continuing 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, as well as relative abundance studies (SLIMS form 2), were conducted throughout the study period across the entire survey area (approximately 200 sq km). 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 evidence was found implying a resident animal and/or more than one snow leopard in the research area. The only finding of one rather old scat sample (very likely belonging to the species), shows that snow leopards recorded in the year before may have left the area, been poached or visit it only sporadically. However, surveys show that the habitat is varied and capable of sustaining a healthy prey base for snow leopard, This, together with evidence from local people, confirmed the importance of the study area 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 is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed.
Abstract also available in Russian.
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Tytar, V., McGregor, T., Hammer, & M. (2007). Expedition report: Surveying 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 3 July to 26 August 2005. 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, as well as relative abundance studies (SLIMS form 2), were conducted throughout the study period across the entire survey area (approximately 200 square kilometres). 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.
Fresh signs of snow leopard presence recorded this year are an indication that the core area is being repeatedly used, due, perhaps, to the tentative increase in the pool numbers of the primary prey species, particularly Siberian ibex. Continued surveys show that the habitat is varied and capable of sustaining a healthy prey base for snow leopard. This, together with evidence from local people, confirmed the importance of the study area 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 is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed.
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Tytar, V., & Hammer, M. (2007). Expedition report: Surveying 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 2 July to 13 August 2006. 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, as well as relative abundance studies (SLIMS form 2), were conducted throughout the study period across the entire survey area (approximately 200 square kilometers). 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.
In 2006 there were no records of snow leopard sign in the core area, but outside of it to the northwest. Presuming an increase in numbers of the primary prey species (particularly the Siberian ibex), it is very likely that other factors (perhaps poaching and other sorts of human disturbance) are gaining an overwhelming impact on snow leopard presence in the study area. Nevertheless, the study area 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 is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed.
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Tytar, V., & Hammer, M. (2008). Expedition report: 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 8 July to 17 August 2007. 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 (approximately 200 square kilometers). In 2007 surveys were extended to areas away from the Tapduair massif site to the valley and surrounding ridges of Irbistu mountain. 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.
The decrease in numbers of the primary prey species observed recently makes it very likely that food availability is not in favour of the snow leopard in the study area. This is supported by the fact that in 2006 there were no records of snow leopard sign in the core area and in 2007 only a few were found.
Nevertheless, the study area retains its importance as a habitat for snow leopard and as a corridor for snow leopard dispersal. Unfortunately, privatisation of formerly common land is on the increase as is a lack of respect traditional land management practices, so the survey area urgently needs protection, but involving the local community and raising public awareness is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed.
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Tytar, V., & Hammer, M. (2009). Expedition report: 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 30 June to 23 August 2008. 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 (approximately 200 square kilometers). In 2007 surveys were extended to areas away from the Tapduair massif site to the valley and surrounding ridges of Irbistu Mountain, Tara Valley and 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.
The fluctuations in numbers of the primary prey species observed recently could make it very likely that food availability is not in favour of the snow leopard in the study area. In addition human disturbance is considered to be a severe threat. This is supported by the fact that in 2006 there were no records of snow leopard sign in the core area, in 2007 only a few were found, and in 2008 no records whatever. Nevertheless, 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. Today work on establishing four additional nature parks in the Republic of Tuva and the Sailugem Nature Reserve in the Republic of Altai that will protect the biggest Russian population of the snow leopard is in progress.
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