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Author McCarthy, T.M.; Chapron, G.
Title Snow Leopard Survival Strategy Type Miscellaneous
Year 2003 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords snow leopard; survival; threats; conservation; action; research; 5350
Abstract I. SNOW LEOPARD: REVIEW OF CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND STATUS

This Snow Leopard Survival Strategy (SLSS) was undertaken to provide comprehensive conservation and research guidelines to ensure a range-wide coordinated effort in the fi ght to save the endangered snow leopard and had the following specific goals:  Assess and prioritize threats to snow leopard survival on a geographic basis.

 Defi ne and prioritize conservation, education, and policy measures appropriate to alleviate threats.

 Prioritize subjects for snow leopard research and identify viable or preferred research methods.

 Build a network of concerned scientists and conservationists to facilitate open dialogue and cross-border cooperation.

 Gain consensus on a fundamental Snow Leopard Survival Strategy document that will be made available to the range states to aid conservation planning at national and local levels.

The highly participatory process started with a survey of specialists designed to gather information on perceived threats to snow leopards, appropriate actions to address threats, knowledge gaps, protected area status, policy and law issues, impediments to achieving conservation of snow leopards, and cultural relevance of snow leopards. Drafts of a Strategy were circulated and then the Snow Leopard Survival Summit was convened in Seattle, USA from 21-26 May 2002 and was attended by 58 of the specialists to debate issues and refi ne the Strategy. This SLSS document is the end product of that process. Background on the snow leopard The snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is a member of the Felidae subfamily Pantherinae and on the basis of morphology and behavior it is placed alone in a separate genus. They are found in 12 countries across Central Asia (China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia). China contains as much as 60% of the snow leopard's potential habitat. Inaccessible and difficult terrain, along with the secretive nature of this rare cat helps account for the fact that large parts of its range have yet to be surveyed. Between 4,500 and 7,350 snow leopards are thought to occur within a total potential habitat area of 1,835,000 km2. Snow leopards are generally solitary and mating usually occurs between late January and midMarch, and one to five cubs are born after a gestation period of 93 to 110 days, generally in June or July. Snow leopards are closely associated with the alpine and subalpine ecological zones, preferring broken, rocky terrain with vegetation that is dominated by shrubs or grasses. Home range size and shape is not well known. The home range size of five snow leopards in prime habitat in Nepal ranged from 12 to 39 km2, with substantial overlap between individuals and sexes. In Mongolia, where food resources may be scarcer, home ranges of both males and females exceeded 400 km2. Snow leopards are opportunistic predators capable of killing prey up to three times their own weight. They will also take small prey such as marmot or chukar partridge. In general, their most commonly taken prey consists of wild sheep and goats

(including blue sheep, Asian ibex, markhor, and argali). Adult snow leopards kill a large prey animal every 10-15 days, and remained on the kill for an average of 3-4 days, and sometimes up to a week. Predation on livestock can be significant, which often results in retribution killing by herders. Snow Leopards are listed as Endangered on the

IUCN Red List in that they do not meet the standards of Critically Endangered but are projected to decline by 50% or more over next 3 generations due to potential levels of exploitation (trade in pelts/bones and conflict with

livestock), and due to declining: 1) area of occupancy, 2) extent of occurrence, and 3) quality of habitat (prey depletion). They appear in Appendix I of both CITES and the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of

Wild Animals (CMS). Snow Leopards are protected nationally over most of its range, with the probable exception of Afghanistan. However, in some countries the relevant legislation may not always be very effective, e.g. because penalties are too low to function as deterrent, or they contain some significant loopholes.

II. THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS

Regional Assessment

This document attempts to list and discuss the threats, conservation actions and information needs pertinent to snow leopard survival. However, these vary substantially across the vast extent of snow leopard range, so no prescription will be universally applicable. We used a regional approach and for purposes of grouping areas where conditions may be similar, we looked at geography, political boundaries, cultural/religious influences, and rural livelihoods. Within that framework we defined four broad regions:

 Himalaya (HIMLY),

 Karakorum/Hindu Kush (KK/HK),

 Commonwealth of Independent States and W. China (CISWC),

 The Northern Range of Russia, Mongolia and N. China (NRANG) SNOW LEOPARD SURVIVAL STRATEGY

Threats to Snow Leopard Survival

A key component of the SLSS process was to identify threats to long-term snow leopard survival across their range. The following list is the result of extensive consultations with stakeholders in Asia and the expert group at the SLSS Summit. Threats are grouped into four broad categories 1) Habitat and Prey related, 2) Direct Killing of Snow Leopards, 3) Policy and Awareness, and 4) Other Issues.

List of Threats

Category 1: Habitat and Prey Related

1.1 Habitat Degradation and Fragmentation

1.2 Reduction of Natural Prey due to Illegal Hunting

1.3 Reduction of Natural Prey due to Legal Hunting

1.4 Reduction of Natural Prey due to Competition with Livestock

1.5 Reduction of Natural Prey due to Disease

1.6 Fencing that Disrupts Natural Migration

Category 2: Direct Killing or Removal of Snow Leopards

2.1 Killing of Snow Leopards in Retribution for Livestock depredation

2.2 Poaching Snow Leopards for Trade in Hides or Bones

2.3 Museum Collection of Live Animals

2.4 Traditional Hunting of Snow Leopards

2.5 Secondary Poisoning and Trapping of Snow Leopards

2.6 Diseases of Snow Leopards

Category 3: Policy and Awareness

3.1 Lack of Appropriate Policy

3.2 Lack of Effective Enforcement

3.3 Lack of Trans-boundary Cooperation

3.4 Lack of Institutional Capacity

3.5 Lack of Awareness among Local People

3.6 Lack of Awareness among Policy Makers

Category 4: Other Issues

4.1 War and Related Military Activities

4.2 Climate Change

4.3 Human Population Growth and Poverty (indirect threat)

Potential Actions to Address Threats

Several methods are identified and elaborated in this document and they include:

 Grazing Management: Promote livestock grazing practices that reduce impacts on native wildlife, in particular snow leopard prey species.

 Wildlife-based Ecotourism: Establishing wildlife based tourism that provides jobs and financial benefits to local people will add economic value to wildlife and create incentives to protect the resource.

 Cottage Industry: Provide income generation opportunities for communities in snow leopard habitat through handicraft manufacture and marketing opportunities with direct and transparent linkages to wildlife conservation via contracts that provides positive incentives for compliance.

 Ungulate Trophy Hunting Programs: Establish or restructure trophy hunting programs that are sustainable, well monitored and provide return to local people as an incentive to protect ungulates. Community co-management of hunting program should be encouraged where ever appropriate.

 Reducing Poaching and Trade in Snow Leopard Parts:

Determine location, nature and extent of snow leopard poaching for trade and bring pressure, both legal and educational, to limit same.

 Reducing Livestock Depredation by Snow Leopards:

Encourage livestock husbandry practices that reduce depredation by snow leopards and other predators.

 Animal Husbandry: Provide training in animal husbandry and veterinary care to improve monetary return at lower stock levels, limit exposure to predation, and reduce impacts on pasture and rangelands.

 Conservation Education and Awareness: Raise awareness of snow leopard conservation issues, concerns, need for action, legal matters, etc, through variety of media among different audiences.

III. RESEARCH AND INFORMATION NEEDS

During the process of listing the threats to snow leopards and the required conservation actions, a set of information needs was also identified. Hence, the list below encompasses the knowledge required to carry-out urgent conservation actions.

Master List of Information Needs

R.1 Snow leopard distribution and “hot spots”

R.2 Snow leopard migration and dispersal routes

R.3 Snow leopard population size

R.4 Snow leopard population trends and factor responsible for changes

R.5 Protected Area coverage extent and representation of habitats (gap analysis)

R.6 Agents of habitat degradation and relative impacts

R.7 Snow leopard prey relationships

R.8 Prey species distribution and “hot spots”

R.9 Prey population baseline and trends

R.10 Dynamics of illegal ungulate hunting (sources, local need, uses, trade, etc.)

R.11 Dynamics of legal ungulate harvest and baseline statistics (sex/age, effort, trophy size, etc.)

R.12 Wild ungulate livestock interactions (competition)

R.13 Ungulate disease type, areas of occurrence, prevalence, virulence, treatment

R.14 Snow leopard poaching levels

R.15 Illegal trade in wildlife parts market demand, sources and routes, value, etc.

R.16 Livestock depredation rates

SNOW LEOPARD SURVIVAL STRATEGY | xi

R.17 Livestock depredation causes

R.18 Grazing pressure and range conditions

R.19 Snow leopard disease type, areas of occurrence, prevalence, virulence, treatment

R.20 Snow leopard home-range size and habitat use

R.21 Snow leopard social structure and behavior

R.22 Snow leopard population genetics

R.23 Snow leopard food habits

R.24 Snow leopard relationship to other predators

R.25 Economic valuation of snow leopards

R.26 Snow leopard monitoring techniques development/improvement

R.27 Socio-economic profiling of herder communities in snow leopard habitat

R.28 Methods to alleviate impacts of war

R.29 Livestock and human population status and trends

R.30 Analysis of existing policies and laws

R.31 Human attitudes to snow leopards

IV. COUNTRY ACTION PLANNING

The SLSS should be seen as a tool to aid in the development of country-specifi c Action Plans. In general Action

Planning leaders should review the SLSS and then:

 Analyze the problems and choose the proper scale,

 Identify the key stakeholders and integrate them into the planning process at the beginning, (i.e. ensure a broadly participatory process),

 Choose a multi-level approach if the problems and stakeholders are particularly diverse,

 Seek to identify achievable and appropriate actions,

 Build monitoring of results into the Plan.

The Action Planning process need not be done in a vacuum. The Snow Leopard Network (see below), can provide much needed assistance in terms of expertise and advice during the planning process. Collectively, the SLN membership has experience in nearly every area of snow leopard related conservation, research, education, and policy. They can be approached for assistance through the International Snow Leopard Trust, 4649 Sunnyside

Ave. N., Suite 325, Seattle, Washington, 98103, USA, on their website http://www.snowleopard.org/sln/ or via email at <info@snowleopard.org>.

V. TAKING THE SLSS FORWARD

A key outcome of the SLSS Workshop was the creation of the Snow Leopard Network (SLN). The SLN is a partnership of organizations and individuals from government and private sector who work together for the effective conservation of the snow leopard, its prey, and their natural habitat to the benefi t of people and biodiversity.

The initial members of the SLN are the specialist who worked together on the SLSS. Carrying the SLSS forward was the impetus for developing the Network.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher International Snow Leopard Trust and Snow Leopard Network Place of Publication Seattle, USA Editor
Language (down) Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 520 Serial 668
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Author Nishine, Y.
Title Development of the captive breeding programme (SSCJ) in Japan 1997-2001 Type Miscellaneous
Year 2003 Publication International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards Abbreviated Journal
Volume 8 Issue Pages 25-26
Keywords captive; captive breeding; Japan
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language (down) Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 925 Serial 722
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Author O'Brien, S.J.
Title Tears of the Cheetah: And Other Tales from the Genetic Frontier Type Miscellaneous
Year 2003 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-287
Keywords 5540
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press Place of Publication New York Editor
Language (down) Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Book Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 538 Serial 732
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Author Murata, K.; Yanai, T.; Agatsuma, T.; Uni, S.
Title Dirofilaria immitis infection of a snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in a Japanese zoo with mitochondrial DNA analysis Type Miscellaneous
Year 2003 Publication The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science / the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science Abbreviated Journal
Volume 65 Issue Pages 945-947
Keywords Dirofilaria immitis,Japan,snow leopard
Abstract Three dog heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) were detected in the lumen of the right cardiac ventriculus and of the pulmonary artery of a captive female snow leopard (Uncia uncia) that died of pancreatic carcinoma at a zoo in Japan. Neither clinical respiratory nor circulatory symptoms caused by the heartworm infection were observed. The filarial worms were identified as D. immitis from the morphologic characteristics of the esophagus, the presence of faint longitudinal ridges on the cuticular surface, the situation of vulva posterior to the esophagus, and the measurements of the body. The heartworms from the snow leopard were identical to that of D. immitis from dogs in the sequence of the cytochrome oxidase I region in the mitochondrial DNA. This host record is the first of D. immitis in U. uncia.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 892 Serial 707
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Author Raghavan, B.; Bhatnagar, Y.; Qureshi, Q.
Title Interactions between livestock and Ladakh urial (Ovis vignei vignei); final report Type Report
Year 2003 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-46
Keywords Interactions; interaction; livestock; Ladakh; urial; ovis; endangered; Animal; Iucn; 2000; Cites; indian; wildlife; protection; number; 1960; 70; hunting; meat; fox; Chundawat; population; range; species; recent; humans; Human; Pressure; habitat; areas; area; human activity; activity; activities; agriculture; pastoralism; development; dam; Base; threats; threat; poaching; grazing; trans-himalaya; transhimalaya; Competition; resource; presence; India; project; International; international snow leopard trust; International-Snow-Leopard-Trust; snow; snow leopard; snow-leopard; leopard; trust; program
Abstract The Ladakh urial (Ovis vignei vignei) is a highly endangered animal (IUCN Red List 2000) listed in the Appendix 1 of CITES and Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Its numbers had been reduced to a few hundred individuals in the 1960s and 70s through hunting for trophies and meat (Fox et al. 1991, Mallon 1983, Chundawat and Qureshi 1999, IUCN Red List 2000). However, with the protection bestowed by the IWPA 1972, and resultant decrease in hunting, the population seems to have shown a marginal increase to about 1000-1500 individuals in its range in Ladakh (Chundawat and Qureshi 1999, IUCN Red List 2000). Although the species had in the past, been able to coexist with the predominantly Buddhist society of Ladakh, the recent increase in the population of both humans and their livestock has placed immense pressures on its habitat (Shackleton 1997, Chundawat and Qureshi 1999, Raghavan and Bhatnagar 2003). This is especially important considering that the Ladakh urial habitat coincides with the areas of maximum human activity in terms of settlements, agriculture, pastoralism and development, in Ladakh (Fox et al. 1991, Chundawat and Qureshi 1999, Raghavan and Bhatnagar 2003). Increased developmental activities such as construction of roads, dams, and military bases in these areas have also increased the access to their habitat. This has consequently made the species more vulnerable to the threats of poaching and habitat destruction (Fox et al. 1991, Chundawat and Qureshi 1999, Raghavan and Bhatnagar 2002). Pressure from increased livestock grazing is one of the major threats faced by the species today (Shackleton 1997, Fox et al. 1991, Mallon 1983, IUCN Red List 2000 Chundawat and Qureshi 1999, Raghavan and Bhatnagar 2003). In the impoverished habitat provided by the Trans-Himalayas, there is great competition for the scarce resources between various animal species surviving here (Fox 1996, Mishra 2001). The presence of livestock intensifies this competition and can either force the species out of its niche (competitive exclusion) by displacing it from that area or resource, or lead to partitioning of resources between the species, spatially or temporally, for coexistence (Begon et al. 1986, Gause 1934).
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Notes Project funded by International Snow Leopard Trust Small Grants Program. Wildlife Institute of India. Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 1075 Serial 802
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Author Mishra, C.; Allen, P.; McCarthy, T.; Madhusudan, M.D.; Agvaantserengiin, B.; Prins H.
Title The role of incentive programs in conserving the snow leopard Type Miscellaneous
Year 2003 Publication Conservation Biology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 17 Issue Pages 1512-1520
Keywords Central Asia; community; conservation; herder; incentive program; India; livestock; Mongolia; pastoralists; poaching; retaliatory killing; snow leopard; Uncia uncia
Abstract Pastoralists and their livestock share much of the habitat of the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) across south and central Asia. The levels of livestock predation by the snow leopard and other carnivores are high, and retaliatory killing by the herders is a direct threat to carnivore populations. Depletion of wild prey by poaching and competition from livestock also poses an indirect threat to the region's carnivores. Conservationists working in these underdeveloped areas that face serious economic damage from livestock losses have turned to incentive programs to motivate local communities to protect carnivores. We describe a pilot incentive program in India that aims to offset losses due to livestock predation and to enhance wild prey density by creating livestock-free areas on common land. We also describe how income generation from handicrafts in Mongolia is helping curtail poaching and retaliatory killing of snow leopards. However, initiatives to offset the costs of living with carnivores and to make conservation beneficial to affected people have thus far been small, isolated, and heavily subsidized. Making these initiatives more comprehensive, expanding their coverage, and internalizing their costs are future challenged for the conservation of large carnivores such as the snow leopard.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 904 Serial 693
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Author Swanson, W.F.
Title Research in Nondomestic Species: Experiences in Reproductive Physiology Research for Conservation of Endangered Felids Type Miscellaneous
Year 2003 Publication ILAR Journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue Pages 307-316
Keywords artificial insemination; capacity building; catmodels; cryopreservation; electroejaculation; embryo transfer; mobile laboratory; nondomestic felids
Abstract Tremendous strides have been made in recent years to broaden our understanding of reproductive processes in nondomestic felid species and further our capacity to use this basic knowledge to control and manipulate reproduction of endangered cats. Much of that progress has culminated from detailed scientific studies conducted in nontraditional laboratory settings, frequently at collaborating zoological parks but also under more primitive conditions, including in the field. A mobile laboratory approach is described, which incorporates a diverse array of disciplines and research techniques. This approach has been extremely useful, especially for conducting gamete characterization and function studies as well as reproductive surveys, and for facilitating the development of assisted reproductive technology. With continuing advances in assisted reproduction in rare felids, more procedures are being conducted primarily as service-related activities, targeted to increase effectiveness of species propagation and population management. It can be a challenge for both investigators and institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) to differentiate these service-based procedures from traditional research studies (that require IACUC oversight). For research with rare cat species, multi-institutional collaboration frequently is necessary to gain access to scientifically meaningful numbers of study subjects. Similarly, for service-based efforts, the ability to perform reproductive procedures across institutions under nonstandard laboratory conditions is critical to applying reproductive sciences for managing and preserving threatened cat populations. Reproductive sciences can most effectively assist population management programs (e.g., Species Survival Plans) in addressing conservation priorities if these research and service- related procedures can be conducted “on the road” at distant national and international locales. This mobile laboratory approach has applications beyond endangered species research, notably for other scientific fields (e.g., studies of hereditary disease in domestic cat models) in which bringing the laboratory to the subject is of value.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 901 Serial 953
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Author The Snow Leopard Conservancy
Title Local People's Attitudes toward Wildlife Conservation in the Hemis National Park, with Special Reference to the Conservation of Large Predators Type Report
Year 2003 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume 7 Issue Pages 1-29
Keywords local; local people; people; attitudes; attitude; wildlife; conservation; Hemis; national; national park; National-park; park; large; large predators; predators; predator; field; Jackson
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Publisher Place of Publication Sonoma, California Editor
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Notes SLC Field Series Document No 7. Prepared by R. Jackson, R. Wangchuk, and J. Dadul. Sonoma, California. Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 1012 Serial 964
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Author Kyes, R.; Chalise, M.K.
Title Snow Leopard Study Summary 2003, Langtang National Park, Nepal Type Report
Year 2003 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-7
Keywords snow; snow leopard; snow-leopard; leopard; study; Langtang; national; national park; National-park; park; Nepal; project; International; international snow leopard trust; International-Snow-Leopard-Trust; trust; program
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Notes Project funded by International Snow Leopard Trust Small Grants Program. Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 1071 Serial 606
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Author Kreuzberg-Mukhina, E.; Esipov A.V.; Bykova, E.A.; Vashetko, E.V.; Aromov, B.
Title Development of the national Action Plan for the conservation of Snow Leopard in Uzbekistan. Report: 1-51 Type Report
Year 2003 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume 1-51 Issue Pages 1-52
Keywords development; national; action; plan; conservation; snow; snow leopard; snow-leopard; leopard; Uzbekistan; Report; Chatkal nature reserve; nature; reserve; Hissar nature reserve; Islt; project; strategy; biology; status; factor; conservation measures; conservation measure
Abstract This document is the final report on the ISLT Project “Development of national Action plan for the conservation of Snow Leopard in Uzbekistan” and a Conservation Strategy for the Snow leopard in Uzbekistan. It includes biology and current status, limiting factors, existing and necessary conservation measures.
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Publisher Place of Publication Uzbekistan Editor
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Notes Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Institute of Zoology, Chatkal nature reserve, Hissar nature reserve. Final Report on the ISLT project. Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 969 Serial 594
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