Abstract: Abstract: Leopards' adaptability has become the species' vulnerability. The animals do not hesitate to eat rotting flesh and will come back repeatedly to their meal, if disturbed. People have taken advantage of this by lacing carcasses with poison. Leopards are moderate in size compared to other cats, are stealthy and can live in areas as diverse as rain forests and deserts.

Abstract: Livestock depredation by the snow leopard, Uncia uncia, and the wolf, Canis lupus, has resulted in a human-wildlife conflict that hinders the conservation of these globally-threatened species throughout their range. This paper analyses the alleged economic loss due to livestock depredation by these carnivores, and the retaliatory responses of an agro-pastoral community around Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in the Indian trans-Himalaya. The three villages studied (80 households) attributed a total of 189 livestock deaths (18% of the livestock holding) over a period of 18 months to wild predators, and this would amount to a loss per household equivalent to half the average annual per capita income. The financial compensation received by the villagers from the Government amounted to 3% of the perceived annual loss. Recent intensification of the conflict seems related to a 37.7% increase in livestock holding in the last decade. Villagers have been killing the wolf, though apparently not the snow leopard. A self-financed compensation scheme, and modification of existing livestock pens are suggested as area-specific short-term measures to reduce the conflict. The need to address the problem of increasing livestock holding in the long run is emphasized.

Abstract: The authors investigated livestock depredation patterns of snow leopards on the northern slopes of the Himalayans near the villages of Manang and Khangshar, Nepal. Information is discussed on the relationships among livestock loss, endangered species management, public relations/conservation issues, and cooperative efforts among institutions involved in the decision making process. A plan is devised for alleviating livestock loss and protecting endangered species in the area. pcp

Abstract: Livestock depredation is an increasingly contentious issue across the range of the
endangered snow leopard (Uncia uncia). Depredation is most severe in or near protected areas
offering core habitat for this cat. “Surplus killing,” in which as many as 100 sheep and goats have
been killed in a single night, inevitably results in attempts at retaliatory killing of predators by
herders suffering significant loss. Ironically, such predation by snow leopard, wolf, or lynx can be
avoided by adequately predator-proofing nighttime enclosures. Predation on the open range is far
more difficult to address, but may be reduced to acceptable levels through improved day-time
guarding of livestock, educating herders on the importance of protecting the predator's natural prey
base, and by providing economic incentives to help offset unavoidable loss.
This paper describes community-based initiatives being undertaken in India's Hemis National Park
aimed at predator-proofing livestock corrals and encouraging local herders to become more effective
stewards of the snow leopard, its prey and habitat. A highly participatory, 4-step process known as
Appreciative Participatory Planning and Action (APPA) provides the primary mechanism for
assisting communities to develop Action Plans to reduce livestock depredation losses, increase
household incomes, and strengthen environmental stewardship. Herders are informed about the
Snow Leopard Stewardship program and conditions for a successful outcome. The team, comprised
of local people, NGO staff, facilitators and government officials, first identifies the root causes for
depredation (Discovery). Under the next phase, Dreaming, participants envision how their village
might appear if depredation losses were reduced to acceptable levels, household incomes increased,
and snow leopards fully protected. This provides a good basis upon which to collaboratively devise
actions for addressing the community's concerns (Design). Delivery involves implementing actions
under the overall Action Plan, as well as specific measures that can be acted upon immediately. The
community is encouraged to use simple but realistic indicators for monitoring the project's
effectiveness.
In Lessons Learned to Date, we highlight the importance of providing meaningful community
involvement from inception through project implementation and monitoring. The use of _APPA
_greatly increases ownership, communal empowerment and self-reliance, and local people's
willingness to protect wildlife. The Snow Leopard Conservancy believes that the most effective
conservation actions will be contingent upon (1) establishing direct linkages with biodiversity
protection; (2) ensuring reciprocal co-financing and commensurate responsibility from the
community; (3) encouraging full participation from all stakeholders irrespective of their gender, age
or economic status; and (4) ensuring regular monitoring and evaluation under an agreed-to Action
Plan that sets forth the responsibilities, contributions and obligations of each partner.

Abstract: Generally speaking, men and women are the two wheels of the same vehicle. Women's
participation and involvement in the conservation of snow leopards is as indispensable as it is to
any other discipline. Unfortunately, their dual role was not exploited and so the involvement of
women in nature conservation is considered almost inappropriate and not up to the mark.
Mountainous people still live with their centuries old traditions and culture. Although with the
passage of time they are leaning towards modernization, still most of them are associated with
the centuries-old tradition of keeping livestock. These people take their livestock to the pastures
and thus share in the snow leopard's habitat. A large number of livestock grazing in the snow
leopard's habitat attracts this opportunistic animal to attack domestic animals. This is the point
where the conflict between snow leopards and livestock owners starts, with the snow leopard
killed in retaliation. Snow leopard depredation causes economic losses to the herders and
women, being the managers of the house, take the maximum impact. Keeping this fact in view,
a study was undertaken in the two demonstration sites of the snow leopard project in Chitral and
Gilgit. A specific questionnaire was used and information was collected from all the women
herders in the two demo sites. The study revealed that women have positive attitudes toward and
feel love for this precious animal.

Abstract: Between 1998 and 2001 I carried out surveys in four areas in the Baltistan district of the Northern Areas of Pakistan to estimate the population of the snow leopard and to examine the threats to its future conservation. I estimate that a total of 36-50 snow leopards are present in the areas surveyed. Based on the availability of suitable snow leopard habitat and of its prey species, I estimate that 90-120 snow leopards are potentially present in Baltistan and 300-420 throughout its range within Pakistan's borders. Although this estimate is higher than extrapolations based on earlier surveys, the long-term future of the snow leopard is under threat. This is mainly due to retaliatory killings by farmers, and poaching for pelts and other body parts. Species-focused conservation policies, particularly those targeting ungulates for the promotion of trophy hunting, may constitute an additional threat to snow leopard conservation in the region. However, all forms of threats to the snow leopard in Baltistan appear to emanate from the relatively poor economic conditions of the local people.