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.

Abstract: The endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is widely but sparsely distributed throughout the mountainous regions of central Asia. Detailed information on the status and abundance of the snow leopard is limited because of the logistical challenges faced when working in the rugged terrain it occupies, along with its secretive nature. Camera-trapping and noninvasive genetic techniques have been used successfully to survey this felid. We compared noninvasive genetic and camera-trapping snow leopard surveys in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. We collected 180 putative snow leopard scats from 3 sites during an 8-day period along 37.74 km of transects. We then conducted a 65-day photographic survey at 1 of these sites, approximately 2 months after scat collection. In the site where both techniques were used noninvasive genetics detected 5 individuals in only 2 days of fieldwork compared to 7 individuals observed in the 65-day camera-trapping session. Estimates of population size from noninvasive genetics ranged between 16 and 19 snow leopards in the 314.3-km2 area surveyed, yielding densities of 4.9–5.9 individuals/100 km2. In comparison, the population estimate from the 65-day photographic survey was 4 individuals (adults only) within the 264-km2 area, for a density estimate of 1.5 snow leopards/100 km2. Higher density estimates from the noninvasive genetic survey were due partly to an inability to determine age and exclude subadults, reduced spatial distribution of sampling points as a consequence of collecting scats along linear transects, and deposition of scats by multiple snow leopards on common sites. Resulting differences could inflate abundance estimated from noninvasive genetic surveys and prevent direct comparison of densities derived from the 2 approaches unless appropriate adjustments are made to the study design.

Abstract: Since the early 2000s snow leopards Panthera uncia have re-colonized the southern slopes of Mt. Everest after several decades of extirpation. Are they now beginning to disperse to the adjoining valleys that may serve as habitat corridors linking the Everest region to other protected areas in Nepal? We conducted a cursory survey in autumn 2009 in Rolwaling lying west of Mt. Everest and detected snow leopard presence. We conclude that in these remote valleys snow leopards must rely upon livestock given the low abundance of natural prey, Himalayan tahr. Livestock-rearing is unfortunately declining in the region. Rolwaling requires immediate conservation attention for the continued survival of the endangered snow leopard and other high altitude flora and fauna.

Abstract: The objectives of this handbook (First edition) are to provide standard procedures for conducting snow leopard status and distribution surveys; suggest uniform methods for assessing the status and relative abundance of large prey species (ungulates such as blue sheep, argali, markhor, Himalayan tahr, urial, ibex, red deer, and roe deer); offer guidance in evaluating habitat quality and identifying the major environmental factors affecting species welfare; and provide standard forms for reporting the results of these field surveys, and a process for feeding information developed by the International Snow Leopard Trust into Snoe Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS).

Abstract: Wildlife-related crop and livestock damage is emerging as a leading source of conflict between local communities, protected areas and park managers throughout India and the Himalayan region (Kharel 1997, Mishra 1997, Saberwal et al. 1994 and Sekhar 1998). For example, a comprehensive household-level survey of herders living in Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area suggested that predation accounted for 63% of all livestock mortality over a 18-24 month period, mostly attributable to snow leopard (Jackson et al. 1996). Oli et al. (1994) reported the predation rate at 2.6% of the stockholding, with losses representing as much as 25% of the average household’s per capita income. Hardly surprisingly, most local people held strongly negative attitudes toward snow leopard and wolf. In the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Lahaul-Spiti, Mishra (1997) reported that 18% of the livestock holding were killed over a 18 month period, amounting to 1.6 animals per household perannum, with an estimated total value of US $ 128 per family per year. Villages received compensationin only 28 of 131 reported cases. According to local residents, predation rates in the sanctuary had increased markedly since its establishment. Mishra (1997) attributes this to a dramatic increase in livestock numbers accompanying a shift rom subsistence to a more commercially-based animal husbandry pattern.
The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of livestock damage from wild carnivores and how protected area managers could best approach this contentious issue. The author uses Hemis National Park as a case study example, focusing on baseline information gathering, and past, current and proposed remedial actions for reducing losses and compensating livestock owners.

Abstract: Livestock depredation has become a significant problem across the snow leopard's (Panthera uncia) range in Central Asia, being most severe in and near protected areas. Such predation, especially incidents of “surplus killing,” in which five to 100 or more sheep and goats are lost in a single night, almost inevitably leads herders to retaliate by killing rare or endangered carnivores like snow leopard, wolf, and lynx. Ironically, such loss can be avoided by making the night-time enclosures predator-proof, improving animal husbandry techniques, educating herders on wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting the natural prey base, and by providing economic incentives like handicrafts skills training and marketing, along with carefully planned ecotourism trekking and guiding. The author explores innovative conservation initiatives in the Himalaya (Ladakh and Tibet) and Mongolia, which also build local capacity, self-reliance, and stewardship for nature using Appreciative Participatory Planning and Action, or APPA, techniques. The most sound conservation investments are those contingent upon establishing direct linkages with biodiversity protection, ensuring co-financing and reciprocal responsibility for project activities, encouraging the full participation of all stakeholders, and assuring regular monitoring and evaluation of the village-based agreements (embodied in Action Plans).