Xu, F., Ming, M., Yin, S. -jing, & Mardan. (2005). Snow Leopard Survey in Tumor Nature Reserve, Xingjiang (Vol. 24).
Abstract: Snow leopard survey was conducted in Oct-Nov 2004 at Tumor National Natural Reserve, Xinjiang, China. Because of its special living style, the snow leopard is difficult to observe by sight. Signs left by snow leopard become a good index to prove the existance of the big cat. There are mainly five kinds of signs, footprints, fectes, claw rakes and urine spray. From them we can know the distribution, probably population and habitat selection of snow leopard. This time in Tumor we investigated 5 difference places: Pochenzi in Mozat River area, Boxidun in Little Kuzbay River area, Yinyer in Tomur River area, Kurgan and Taglak in Quiong Tailan River area. 42 transects were run in this trip and a total of 57 signs found. Among them, footprints amounted to 71.9%, scrapes 21.1%, and feces 7.0%. The results showed that the big cat existed in Yinyer, Kurgan and Taglak areas and liked to select their habitat in the valley and didn't like to live in barren areas.
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Xu, F., Ma, M., & Wu, Y. - Q. (2007). Population density and habitat utilization of ibex in Tomur National Nature Reserve,Xinjiang,China.
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Jackson, R., & Fox, J. L. (2000). Report on Fifth Slims Training Workshop (Nepal) (Vol. xvii). Seattle: International Snow Leopard Trust.
Abstract: Nepal's snow leopards (Uncia uncia) are mostly found along the northern border with Tibet (China). The largest populations are in Dolpa, Mugu, Manang, and Myagdi Districts. Potential habitat totals about 30,000 square kilometers. Numbers are estimated at 300-500, but surveys are urgently needed to confirm this rough guess. Like elsewhere, the primary threats center on poaching, depletion of natural prey, livestock depredation and resultant retributive killing of snow leopards by herders, and the lack of public awareness and support for conserving snow leoaprds, especially among local herders.
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Ahmad, S., Rehman, E. U., Ali, H., Din, N., Haider, J., Din, J. U., Nawaz, M. A. (2022). Density Pattern of Flare-Horned Markhor (Capra falconeri) in Northern Pakistan. Sustainability, 14(9567), 1–13.
Abstract: Wild ungulates play vital roles in maintaining a balanced ecosystem through herbivory and are also an important determinant of carnivores’ density. The flare-horned markhor (Capra falconeri) is a threatened wild goat distributed across the mountain ranges of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. The remote terrain and fragmented population limit our understanding of the population ecology of markhor, though knowledge of the target species population is vital for making informed management decisions. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine the markhor population across their range in Northern Pakistan and to evaluate the efforts made by the government and non-government organizations for the conservation of markhor. Double-observer surveys were conducted during 2019–2021 in nine major watersheds of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan covering an area of 4664 km2. Secondary data were collected for unassessed areas to gain a holistic overview of the markhor population and density in the region. Results revealed a markhor population of 7579, with a density of 0.30 animals per km2 in Northern Pakistan. Our analysis of the double-observer data through the Bayesian behavioral capture–recapture model estimated a population of 5993 individuals (95% CI) of markhor across
nine study sites, with a density of 1.28 animals per km . A review of secondary data revealed that
a population of about 1586 was present in the un-surveyed area (20,033.33 km2), with a density
of 0.08 per km . A total of 146 groups of markhor were counted, with a mean group size of 23
(3–58) individuals. There were 109 males and 108 young per 100 females in the population. Among 1936 recorded males, Class I males accounted for 27.74%, followed by Class II (26.45%), Class IV (trophy-size) (23.40%), and Class III (22.42%). The overall detection probability was recorded as 0.87 and 0.68 for the first observer and second observer, respectively. Compared with the past reports, the population of markhor in Northern Pakistan appears to be increasing, particularly in protected areas (PAs) such as national parks and community-controlled hunting areas (CCHAs). Conservation programs, notably trophy hunting and PA networks, appear to be vital in sustaining markhor populations in parts of the species range. We recommend expansion in such programs in the markhor range in order to maintain a viable population of this majestic wild goat in the region.
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Blomqvist, L. (1982). The 1981 annual report of the captive snow leopards (Panthera uncia) population. International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, 3.
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Henschel, P., & Ray, J. (2003). Leopards in African Rainforests: Survey and Monitoring Techniques (Wildlife Conservation Society, Ed.).
Abstract: Monitoring Techniques Forest leopards have never been systematically surveyed in African forests, in spite of their potentially vital ecological role as the sole large mammalian predators in these systems. Because leopards are rarely seen in this habitat, and are difficult to survey using the most common techniques for assessing relative abundances of forest mammals, baseline knowledge of leopard ecology and responses to human disturbance in African forests remain largely unknown. This technical handbook sums up the experience gained during a two-year study of leopards by Philipp Henschel in the Lop‚ Reserve in Gabon, Central Africa, in 2001/2002, supplemented by additional experience from carnivore studies conducted by Justina Ray in southwestern Central African Republic and eastern Congo (Zaire) . The main focus of this effort has been to develop a protocol that can be used by fieldworkers across west and central Africa to estimate leopard densities in various forest types. In developing this manual, Henschel tested several indirect methods to assess leopard numbers in both logged and unlogged forests, with the main effort devoted to testing remote photography survey methods developed for tigers by Karanth (e.g., Karanth 1995, Karanth & Nichols 1998; 2000; 2002), and modifying them for the specific conditions characterizing African forest environments. This handbook summarizes the results of the field testing, and provides recommendations for techniques to assess leopard presence/absence, relative abundance, and densities in African forest sites. We briefly review the suitability of various methods for different study objectives and go into particular detail on remote photography survey methodology, adapting previously developed methods and sampling considerations specifically to the African forest environment. Finally, we briefly discuss how camera trapping may be used as a tool to survey other forest mammals. Developing a survey protocol for African leopards is a necessary first step towards a regional assessment and priority setting exercise targeted at forest leopards, similar to those carried out on large carnivores in Asian and South American forests.
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Ahmad, S., Ali, H., Asif, M., Khan, T, Din, N., Rehman, E. U., Hameed, S., Din, J. U., Nawaz, M. A. (2022). Spatial density pattern of Himalayan Ibex (Capra sibirica) in Pakistan. Global Ecology & Conservation, 39(e02288), 1–12.
Abstract: Mountain ungulates perform a key role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems as they are the primary consumers of vegetation and prey for large predators. The mountain ranges of northern Pakistan are home to six species of mountain ungulates, and the Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica), hereafter ibex, is the most abundant among them. This study was conducted in three administrative regions of northern Pakistan, viz. Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), to generate a range-wide density pattern map of ibex. A double-observer survey was conducted in 25 study sites during 2018–2021 across the ibex distribution range, covering an area of about 35,307 km2, by walking transects totaling 1647 km. Within the ibex range where the survey was not conducted due to financial and logistical constraints, we obtained species population information from local wildlife departments’ most recent annual survey data. The aim was to generate a density map for the entire ibex range. Using the BBRe-capture package in program R, we estimated an ibex population of 7639 (95 % CI) with a mean density of 0.21/km2 in the surveyed area. Combining with the secondary data from un-surveyed areas, the total population estimate for the country came to 10,242 ibex. The largest population densities were observed in four valleys (Shimshal, Gulkin-Hussaini, Khyber, and Khunjerab) of the Karakoram-Pamir range, followed by the Hindu Kush range (Chitral Wildlife Division [WD]). The central and eastern parts of the Karakoram range had moderate to low densities, while the Himalayan range (e.g., Astore Valley) supported a small population. The mean herd size was 15 individuals (range: 5–41), and the average detection probability of observers A and B was 0.69 and 0.48, respectively. The average male and young ratios per 100 females were estimated to be 75 and 81, respectively. The range-wide density map developed during the study provided an evidence for the impact of trophy hunting programs and an objective tool for range-wide conservation planning of the species.
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Jackson, R., & Roe, J. (2002). Preliminary Observations On Non-Invasive Techniques for Identifying Individual Snow Leopards and Monitoring Populations.. Islt: Islt.
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Fox, J. L., & Jackson, R. M. (2002). Blue Sheep and Snow Leopards in Bhutan and Trans-Himalayan Nepal: Recent Status Evaluations and Their Application to Research and Conservation.. Islt: Islt.
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Jackson, R., Roe, J., Wangchuk, R., & Hunter, D. (2005). Surveying Snow Leopard Populations with Emphasis on Camera Trapping: A Handbook. Sonoma, California: The Snow Leopard Conservancy.
Abstract: This handbook provides an introduction to snow leopard population survey techniques, followed by a detailed account of camera trapping methods.During the 2002 through 2004 winter field seasons, the Snow Leopard Conservancy experimented with infrared camera trapping techniques to define a methodology suitable for the high altitude environment.
In 2001 and 2002, much of our time was spent familiarizing ourselves with various infrared camera traps, their operation and setup, and comparing the effectiveness of different models and sensor types. We placed infrared camera traps along frequently used travel corridors at or near scent-sprayed rocks (rock scents) and scrape sites within 16 km2 sampling cells between January and March in 2003 and 2004. A total of 66 and 49 captures of snow leopards were tallied during 2003 and 2004, resulting in an overall capture success of 8.91 and 5.63 individuals per 100 trap-nights, respectively. Capture probabilities ranged from 0.33 to 0.46. Density estimates ranged from 8.49 ± 0.22 individuals per 100 km2 in 2003 to 4.45 ± 0.16 in 2004, with the disparity between years largely attributed to different trapping densities. Snow leopard abundance estimates were calculated using the computer program CAPTURE.
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Blomqvist, L. (1995). Three decades of Snow Leopards Panthera uncia in Captivity. Int.Zoo Yearbook, 34, 178–185.
Abstract: The author reports the status of the captive population of snow leopards over the last three decades. Genetic and demographic information is also provided. The captive population as of 1992 was 541 leopards. klf. I
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Woodroffe, R., & Ginsberg, J. R. (1998). Edge effects and the extinction of populations inside protected areas. Science Washington D.C., 280(5372), 2126–2128.
Abstract: Theory predicts that small populations may be driven to extinction by random fluctuations in demography and loss of genetic diversity through drift. However, population size is a poor predictor of extinction in large carnivores inhabiting protected areas. Conflict with people on reserve borders is the major cause of mortality in such populations, so that border areas represent population sinks. The species most likely to disappear from small reserves are those that range widely-and are therefore most exposed to threats on reserve borders-irrespective of population size. Conservation efforts that combat only stochastic processes are therefore unlikely to avert extinction.
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Maier, F. (1998). Tracking the snow cat of Ice Mountain. Wildlife Conservation, 101(3), 36.
Abstract: Snow leopard preservation efforts by Russian biologist Eugene Koshkarev are hampered by the lack of technology and the attitudes of the local population. Without access to radio-collars until recently, the biologists have had to use low-tech research methods such as field observation. The chabani, or semi-nomadic herders of Central Asia, fear the leopards as predators and set traps. Local governments also allow hunting
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Matyushkin, E. N. (2000). Tracks and tracking techniques in studies of large carnivorous mammals. Zoologichesky Zhurnal, 79((4)), 412–429.
Abstract: In Russia, traditions of track observations and the use of tracking techniques in studying the ecology and behavior of mammals were founded by A.N. Formozov. An analytic review of his data on large carnivorous mammals (tiger, snow leopard, wolf, brown bear, wolverine, and others) is given. A special detailed observation of animals' tracks as a source of information on their life is shown only to start. The efficiency of track observations in various fields of studies, including counting animals, is estimated. The values of day and night distances for various animal species, given in literature, have never been properly substantiated methodically. The tracking method is the most effective in studying the use of the home range by animals, drawing the network of their movements and scent-marking behavior. The hunting behavior of large predators in dense forests is can only be deduced by observing their tracks. In some cases, the use of tracking has a distinct advantage over radio tracking. The main propositions are illustrated by the materials of the author obtained in various Russian regions (in forests of the northern Russian Plain and southern Far east) for 1958-1998.
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Jackson, R., Roe, J., Wangchuk, R., & Hunter, D. (2005). Surveying Snow Leopard Populations with Emphasis on Camera Trapping: A Handbook. Sonoma, California: The Snow Leopard Conservancy.
Abstract: This handbook provides an introduction to snow leopard population survey techniques, followed by a detailed account of camera trapping methods.During the 2002 through 2004 winter field seasons, the Snow Leopard Conservancy experimented with infrared camera trapping techniques to define a methodology suitable for the high altitude environment.
In 2001 and 2002, much of our time was spent familiarizing ourselves with various infrared camera traps, their operation and setup, and comparing the effectiveness of different models and sensor types. We placed infrared camera traps along frequently used travel corridors at or near scent-sprayed rocks (rock scents) and scrape sites within 16 km2 sampling cells between January and March in 2003 and 2004. A total of 66 and 49 captures of snow leopards were tallied during 2003 and 2004, resulting in an overall capture success of 8.91 and 5.63 individuals per 100 trap-nights, respectively. Capture probabilities ranged from 0.33 to 0.46. Density estimates ranged from 8.49 ± 0.22 individuals per 100 km2 in 2003 to 4.45 ± 0.16 in 2004, with the disparity between years largely attributed to different trapping densities. Snow leopard abundance estimates were calculated using the computer program CAPTURE.
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Jackson, R., & Ahlborn, G. (1990). The role of protected areas in Nepal in maintaining viable populations of snow leopards. Int.Ped.Book of Snow Leopards, 6, 51–69.
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McCarthy, T. (1999). Snow leopard conservation project, Mongolia: WWF Project Summary of Field Work.
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Anonymous. (1999). Livestock Predation Control Workshop.
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International Snow Leopard Trust. (2001). Snow Leopard News Spring 2001. Seattle, WA: Islt.
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International Snow Leopard Trust. (2000). Snow Leopard News Spring 2000. Seattle, Wa: Islt.
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Blomqvist, L. (1988). The Development of the Captive Snow Leopard Population between 1984-1985. In H.Freeman (Ed.), (pp. 181–189). India: International Snow Leopard Trust and Wildlife Institute of India.
Abstract: In 1984, 73 (31/41/1) cubs were born of which 47 (24/23) survived for six months or longer. This gives us a cub mortality of 35.6%. A total of 38 (11/26/1) snow leopards died in captivity in 1984. Five (2/3) specimens were wild caught at the same time in the USSR and then located in the zoos of ALma-Ata, Moscow and Novosibirsk. At the End of 1984, the captive stock consisted of 332 (168/164) snow leopards, an increase of forty animals from the previous year.
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Kuzminikh, I. (1994). Notes on the status of captive snow leopards in regions of the former Soviet Union. In J.L.Fox, & D.Jizeng (Eds.), (199). Usa: Islt.
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Harris, R. B. (1994). Dealing with uncertainty in counts of mountain ungulates. In J.L.Fox, & D. Jizeng (Eds.), (pp. 105–111). Usa: Islt.
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Saltz, D., Rowen, M., & Rubenstein, D. (2000). The effect of space-use patterns of reintroduced Asiatic wild ass on effective population size. Conservation Biology, 14(6), 1852–1861.
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Smirnov, M. N., Sokolov, G. A., & Zyryanov, A. N. (1990). The Snow Leopard (Uncia Uncia Scherber 1776) in Siberia. Int.Nat.Ped.Book of Snow Leopards, 6, 9–15.
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