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.

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 6 July to 29 August 2003. The aim was to conduct the first survey of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in this area, as well as surveying the snow leopard’s main prey species; in this case argali (Ovis amon) and Siberian ibex (Capra ibex 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 sq km). Interviews with local, semi-nomadic herders also formed an important part of the research procedure. cat collected in the field was sent to Brunel University where it is awaiting DNA analysis. The expedition also collected data on local geology and generated mammal, bird and plant inventories.
Surveying a very large study area without snow cover made it difficult to find signs of snow leopard and primary prey species. Despite these constraints, snow leopard sign was found in each of the four two-week slots of the expedition. The field evidence indicated there was at least one resident adult. 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: 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.

Abstract: Article covers the human-brown bear conflict problem, which closely parallels that of snow leopard conflict in the TAR, the peer reviewed version of: Tsering, Dawa, John D. Farrington, and Kelsang Norbu. Competition and Coexistence: Human-Wildlife Conflict in the Chang Tang Region of Tibet. Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China: Tibet People’s Publishing House, 2007.
In order to evaluate the impact of recently introduced wildlife conservation policies, a human-wildlife conflict survey of three-hundred herding households was conducted in the south-central Byang thang (Qiangtang) area of the Tibet Autonomous Region (bod rang skyongs ljongs, Xizang Zizhi Qu). Results showed that Tibetan brown bears were the largest source of human-wildlife conflict in the survey area, affecting 49 percent of surveyed households between 1990 and 2006, with a 4.5-fold increase in conflict with bears occurring since implementation of various wildlife protection policies beginning in 1993. Types of bear conflict included livestock kills, raiding of human food supplies, damage to dwellings and furnishings, and direct attacks on herders. Brown bears have caused devastating
economic losses to herders and anecdotal evidence indicates that retaliatory killing of bears by herders now poses the greatest threat to the Tibetan brown bear. Immediate measures must be taken to resolve this conflict if humans and brown
bears are to coexist in the Byang thang region.