Sharma, S., Thapa, K., Chalise, M., Dutta, T., Bhatnagar, Y.V., McCarthy, T. (2006). The snow leopard in Himalaya: A step towards their conservation by studying their distribution, marking habitat selection, coexistence with other predators, and wild prey-livestock-predator interaction. Conservation Biology in Asia, , 184–196.
Abstract: Snow leopard (Uncia uncial) is a flagship species of the Himalaya. Very few studies have been done on the ecology of this species in the Himalaya. This paper presents an overview of four studies conducted on snow leopards in Nepal and India, dealing with various aspects of snow leopard ecology including their status assessment, making behaviour, habitat selection, food habits, and impact on livestock. The information generated by these studies is useful in planning effective conservation and management strategies for this endangered top predator of high mountains.
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Sharma, S., Dutta, T., Bhatnagar, Y.V. (2006). Marking site selection by free-ranging snow leopard (Uncia uncia). Conservation Biology in Asia, , 197–213.
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International Snow Leopard Trust. Snow Leopards. China.
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Anonymous. (1986). Toward a free-ranging recovery plan.
Abstract: This draft is a first attempt to develop a Snow Leopard Recovery Plan, for consideration at the Fifth International Snow Leopard Symposium. It is intended as a working base for agencies responsible for snow leopard conservation, research and management. The plan, when thoroughly reviewed and revised, will provide more accurate estimates of snow leopard status and threats, and recommendations concerning actions necessary for the maintenance, enhancement and recovery of the snow leopard in its original habitat.
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Allen, P., McCarthy, T., Bayarjargal, A. (2002). Conservation de la panthere des neiges (Uncia uncia) avec les eleveurs de Mongolie.48–53.
Abstract: La panthère des neiges (Uncia uncia) est un grand félin des régions montagneuses d’Asie Centrale. Elle est menacée par le braconnage et la fragmentation de son habitat. L’impact de la prédation des panthères des neiges sur le bétail a été
étudié en Mongolie. Les recherches ont porté sur la dynamique des troupeaux domestiques, l’importance numérique et financière des pertes ainsi que la perception des panthères par les éleveurs. Les panthères s’attaquent le plus souvent à des animaux de grande taille mais les éleveurs restent en majorité favorables à leur protection. Pour concilier conservation de ce prédateur et attente des communautés pastorales, un projet dénommé IRBIS ENTERPRISES a été créé. Un mécanisme assure des revenus supplémentaires aux éleveurs par la vente de produits issus du bétail en échange d’une protection total des panthères et
de leurs proies.
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Anonymous. (2004, 28 February). Nepali newspaper article reporting on snow leopard study., 1.
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Riddell, M. (2004). Newcastle University’s Snow leopard Research Expedition Report: Kazakhstan 2004. Scotland: Newcastle University.
Abstract: This Newcastle University Expedition reviewed the conflict between man and snow leopard in the region east of Tekeli in the Dzhungarian Alatau range, Kazakhstan. After the soviet state breakup in 1991 snow leopards in Kazakhstan and in the other Asian republics were subjected to high levels of persecution. There are thought to be between 180-200 snow leopards in Kazakhstan, of which 37-40 individuals inhabit the Dzhungarian Mountains. No work has been done previously
to review the present snow leopard-human conflicts in this region, and this project looked to update previous reports from Central Asia about predominant conflicts in these regions.
The expedition team worked with the Institute of Zoology in Kazakhstan and two of the six person team were Kazakh students. Methods comparable to those used in previous studies were used to map and rank the threats in the western area of the range, over an eight week period. The expedition team lived in the mountains for periods of two-three weeks, carrying all their food and equipment and using local vehicles, horses and trekking to move from pasture to pasture. Semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and prey counts were used to assess snow leopard-human conflicts including poaching of snow leopard, poaching of leopard
wild prey, human disturbance and livestock overgrazing.
The results from the report support much previous work from Kazakhstan and other
areas in Central Asia, but serve as a useful update shedding light on an optimistic future for snow leopard conservation while highlighting what the expedition team perceives to be the major threats to snow leopards.
The threats to snow leopards, in order of relevance from most to least, are loss of prey predominantly through hunting by local people (both legal and illegal), direct hunting of snow leopard for pelt/medicine, disturbance by herders on the pastures, snow leopard habitat fragmentation around the mountain bases, and least importantly overgrazing by domestic livestock. Retaliatory kills by herders are not a threat in the region and on livestock were killed by snow leopards. Levels of all hunting, legal and illegal, need to be reduced in the range until wildlife populations have recovered significantly from the mid-1990’s over-hunting period.
Levels of rural corruption among many stakeholders were high around the mountain region, and are thought to contribute negatively to wildlife conservation in the area. Ecotourism in the area, that incorporates local people around the mountain region, is proposed as a solution to offer local people’s incentives to lower hunting levels.
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Bhatnagar, Y. V. (2010). Project Snow Leopard. In Nature Without Borders (Vol. 613, pp. 44–48). India.
Abstract: Nature Without Borders: a symposium on innovative approaches to conserving nature and wildlife. http://www.india-seminar.com/2010/613.htm
IN January 2009, the Ministry of Environment and Forests launched an ambitious conservation programme called Project Snow Leopard for the Indian high altitude areas. This was a unique endeavour that was catalyzed by a voluntary organization, with active participation of the five Himalayan state governments, the ministry and a select group of organizations and individuals in a consultative process which lasted close to four years. Given, however, a good representation of wildlife protected areas in the high altitudes (over 9% for the Trans Himalaya), the question is why was such a scheme required; what were the attributes of the region that necessitated an alternative strategy? This article discusses the salient features of the snow leopard initiative and the challenges ahead.
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WWF Russia & Mongolia. (2010). WWF Altai-Sayan Newsletter. Russia: WWF.
Abstract: WWF Russia and WWF Mongolia share the main achievements of both offices in Altai – Sayan Ecoregion regarding species conservation, protected areas, ecotourism, public awareness,education, eco clubs, fresh water. Several articles reference snow leopards and argali:
WWF Russia
Camera Trapping in Argut River Valley
Community inspection is established in Republic of Altai to take part in anti – poaching activities in the key territory for argali and snow leopard conservation
“Land of Snow Leopard” Ecotourism Project as a tool to protect Irbis and Argali by local communities
Snow Leopard and Argali inspired the Masters of Felt Making of Republic of Altai
Snow Leopard – a Treasure of Tuva. WWF introduces Tuva journalists to the snow leopard (Tsagaan Shibetu Ridge)
WWF and Oxfam –GB joint project works on capacity building of local people in Tuva
WWF Mongolia
Nature conservation through involving local residents and supporting their initiatives
Community groups trans-boundary cooperation
Altai-Sayan PA administration staff start to undertake quality research activities at experts level
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Sharma, R. (2010). Of Men and Mountain Ghosts: Glimpses from the Rooftop of the World. GEO, 3(6), 56–67.
Abstract: Catching a glimpse of a snow leopard is a rare and exciting event for anyone. For researchers, hideen camera traps have become a vital tool in their work.
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