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Wikramanayake, E., Moktan, V., Aziz, T., Khaling, S., Khan, A., & Tshering, D. (2006). The WWF Snow Leopard Action Strategy for the Himalayan Region.
Abstract: As a 'flagship' and 'umbrella' species the snow leopard can be a unifying biological feature to
raise awareness of its plight and the need for conservation, which will benefit other facets of Himalayan
biodiversity as well. Some studies of snow leopards have been conducted in the Himalayan region. But,
because of its elusive nature and preference for remote and inaccessible habitat, knowledge of the
ecology and behaviour of this mystical montane predator is scant. The available information, however,
suggests that snow leopards occur at low densities and large areas of habitat are required to conserve
a viable population. Thus, many researchers and conservationists have advocated landscape-scale
approaches to conservation within a regional context, rather than focusing on individual protected areas.
While the issues are regional, the WWF's in the region have developed 5-year strategic actions and
activities, using the regional strategies as a touchstone, which will be implemented at national levels.
The WWF's will develop proposals based on these strategic actions, with estimated budgets, for use by
the network for funding and fund-raising. WWF also recognizes the need to collaborate and coordinate
within the network and with other organizations in the region to achieve conservation goals in an
efficient manner, and will form a working group to coordinate activities and monitor progress.
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Sunquist, F. (1997). Where cats and herders mix. (snow leopards in Tibet and Mongolia). International Wildlife, 27(1), 27–33.
Abstract: The snow leopard inhabits a huge range of territory which encompasses some of Central Asia's most bleak and inhospitable terrains. The animal herders in these regions are desperately poor and yet they have agreed to cooperate with conservation groups in protecting the snow leopard. The World Wildlife Foundation has worked to create a refuge on the Pakistan-China border. Sheep herders near Askole, a village in the Baltistan region of northern Paksitan, drive their flocks past stone enclosures. The area is also home to snow leopards. With their natural prey dminished, leopards in 13 countries of central Asia occasionally feed on livestock, putting the cats on a collision course with mountain peoples.
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Oli, M. K. (1991). Ecology and conservation of snow leopard project (Vol. 6628).
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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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McCarthy, T. (1999). Re: Snow leopard conservation plan for Mongolia.
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Gundersen, S., & Jackson, R. (1999). Snow Leopard in Nepal (S. Gundersen, Ed.).
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Halemba, A., & Donahoe, B. (2009). Local perspectives on hunting and poaching: Research report for WWF Russia Altai-Saian Ecoregion. WWF Report, , 1–34.
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Jack, R. (2008). DNA Testing and GPS positioning of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) genetic material in the Khunjerab National Park Northern Areas, Pakistan.
Abstract: The protection of Snow Leopards in the remote and economically disadvantaged Northern Areas of Pakistan needs local people equipped with the skills to gather and present information on the number and range of individual animals in their area. It is important for the success of a conservation campaign that the people living in the area are engaged in the conservation process. Snow Leopards are elusive and range through inhospitable terrain so direct study is difficult. Consequently the major goals for this project were twofold, to gather information on snow leopard distribution in this area and to train local university students and conservation management professionals in the techniques used for locating snow leopards without the need to capture or even see the animals. This project pioneered the use of DNA testing of field samples collected in Pakistan to determine the distribution of snow leopards and to attempt to identify individuals. These were collected in and around that country's most northerly national park, the Kunjurab National Park, which sits on the Pakistan China border. Though the Northern Areas is not a well developed part of Pakistan, it does possess a number of institutions that can work together to strengthen snow leopard conservation. The first of these is a newly established University with students ready to be trained in the skills needed. Secondly WWF-Pakistan has an office in the main town and a state of the art GIS laboratory in Lahore and already works closely with the Forest Department who manage the national park. All three institutions worked together in this project with WWF providing GIS expertise, the FD rangers, and the university students carrying out the laboratory work. In addition in the course of the project the University of the Punjab in Lahore also joined the effort, providing laboratory facilities for the students. As a result of this project maps have been produced showing the location of snow leopards in
two areas. Preliminary DNA evidence indicates that there is more than one animal in this
relatively small area, but the greatest achievement of this project is the training and
experience gained by the local students. For one student this has been life changing. Due to
the opportunities provided by this study the student, Nelofar gained significant scientific
training and as a consequence she is now working as a lecturer and research officer for the
Center for Integrated Mountain Research, New Campus University of the Punjab, Lahore
Pakistan
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Jackson, R. (1986). On the trail of the elusive snow leopard. World Wildlife Fund Monthly Report, May, 127–132.
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Maheshwari, A., Sharma, D. (2010). Snow leopard conservation in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Abstract: The Greater and Trans Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have great potential in terms of wildlife (flora and fauna). This survey was the first ever survey for the snow leopard in Uttarakhand and some of the areas of Himachal Pradesh till date. It confirms the presence of snow leopard in Uttarakhand on the basis of indirect evidence. We could not find any evidence of snow leopard from surveyed areas in Himachal Pradesh – but it certainly does not mean that there are no snow leopards in the surveyed areas.
Areas above 3000m elevation were selected for this survey in 10 protected areas of both the states. Status and distribution of snow leopard was assessed through indirect evidence (n=13) found between 3190 and 4115m. On average, one indirect evidence of snow leopard was found for every 39km walked. About 39% of the evidence was found on the hill-slope followed by valley floor (30%), cliff (15%) and 8% from both stream bed and scree slope. Preferred mean slope was 28° (maximum 60°). Snow leopard-human conflicts were assessed through questionnaire surveys from Govind Pashu Vihar, Askot Wild Life Sanctuary and Dung (Munsiari) areas. They revealed that livestock depredation is the only component of conflict and contributed to 36% of the total diet (mule, goat and sheep) of snow leopard. Blue sheep and rodents together comprised 36.4% of the total diet.
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