Tytar, V., & Hammer, M. (2008). Expedition report: Mountain ghosts: snow leopards and other animals in the mountains of the Altai Republic, Central Asia. Biosphere Expeditions.
Abstract: This study was part of an expedition to the Altai mountains in the Kosh Agach region of the Altai Republic, run by Biosphere Expeditions from 8 July to 17 August 2007. The aim was to continue a survey of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in this area, as well as surveying the snow leopard's primary prey species, argali (Ovis ammon) and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), together with secondary prey species.
Using the Snow Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS) developed by the International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT), presence/absence surveys (SLIMS form 1) of snow leopard and prey species were conducted throughout the study period across the entire survey area (approximately 200 square kilometers). In 2007 surveys were extended to areas away from the Tapduair massif site to the valley and surrounding ridges of Irbistu mountain. Interviews with local, semi-nomadic herders also formed an important part of the research procedure. The expedition also collected data for extended mammal, bird and plant inventories.
The decrease in numbers of the primary prey species observed recently makes it very likely that food availability is not in favour of the snow leopard in the study area. This is supported by the fact that in 2006 there were no records of snow leopard sign in the core area and in 2007 only a few were found.
Nevertheless, the study area retains its importance as a habitat for snow leopard and as a corridor for snow leopard dispersal. Unfortunately, privatisation of formerly common land is on the increase as is a lack of respect traditional land management practices, so the survey area urgently needs protection, but involving the local community and raising public awareness is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed.
|
Tytar, V., & Hammer, M. (2009). Expedition report: Mountain ghosts: snow leopards and other animals in the mountains of the Altai Republic, Central Asia. Biosphere Expeditions.
Abstract: This study was part of an expedition to the Altai mountains in the Kosh Agach region of the Altai Republic, run by Biosphere Expeditions from 30 June to 23 August 2008. The aim was to continue a survey of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in this area, as well as surveying the snow leopard's primary prey species, argali (Ovis ammon) and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), together with secondary prey species.
Using the Snow Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS) developed by the International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT), presence/absence surveys (SLIMS form 1) of snow leopard and prey species were conducted throughout the study period across the entire survey area (approximately 200 square kilometers). In 2007 surveys were extended to areas away from the Tapduair massif site to the valley and surrounding ridges of Irbistu Mountain, Tara Valley and Karaghem Mountain Pass. Interviews with local, semi-nomadic herders also formed an important part of the research procedure. The expedition also collected data for extended mammal, bird and plant inventories.
The fluctuations in numbers of the primary prey species observed recently could make it very likely that food availability is not in favour of the snow leopard in the study area. In addition human disturbance is considered to be a severe threat. This is supported by the fact that in 2006 there were no records of snow leopard sign in the core area, in 2007 only a few were found, and in 2008 no records whatever. Nevertheless, the study area still retains its importance as a habitat for snow leopard and as a corridor for snow leopard dispersal. The survey area urgently needs protection, but involving the local community and raising public awareness is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed. Today work on establishing four additional nature parks in the Republic of Tuva and the Sailugem Nature Reserve in the Republic of Altai that will protect the biggest Russian population of the snow leopard is in progress.
|
Tytar, V., & Hammer, M. (2010). Expedition report: Mountain ghosts: snow leopards and other animals in the mountains of the Altai Republic, Central Asia. Biosphere Expeditions.
Abstract: This study was part of an expedition to the Altai mountains in the Kosh Agach region of the Altai Republic, run by Biosphere Expeditions from 29 June to 22 August 2009. The aim was to continue a survey of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in this area, as well as surveying the snow leopard's primary prey species, argali (Ovis ammon) and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), together with secondary prey species. Using the Snow Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS)developed by the International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT), presence/absence surveys (SLIMS form 1) of snow leopard and prey species were conducted throughout the study period across the entire survey area. In 2009 surveys were extended to areas away from the Talduair massif site (core area) to the valleys and surrounding ridges of the Karaghem mountain pass. Interviews with local, semi-nomadic herders also formed an important part of the research procedure. The expedition also collected data for extended mammal, bird and plant inventories. Fresh signs of snow leopard presence recorded this year are an indication that the core area once again has been visited and used. The developing relationship between the predator and prey species seems to be very fragile, so any decline (perhaps even slight) in the prey species may drive the snow leopard out of the core area. In addition, human disturbance is considered to be a severe threat. Yet the study area still retains its importance as a habitat for snow leopard and as a corridor for snow leopard dispersal. The survey area urgently needs protection, but involving the local community and raising public awareness is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed. Today work on establishing four additional nature parks in the Republic of Tuva and the Sailugem Nature Reserve in the Republic of Altai, which will protect the biggest Russian population of the snow
leopard is in progress.
|
Geits, A. V., Makarov, O.A. (1977). About the distribution of the snow leopard in the Altai. In V. E. Sokolov (Ed.), Rare Types of Mammals and Their Conservation (pp. 115–116).
|
WWF Russia & Mongolia. (2010). WWF Altai-Sayan Newsletter. WWF.
Abstract: A Snow Leopard – A Treasure of Tuva. A beautiful animal as a winner of a wide-scale public vote
WWF will train a Scat Detection Dog for snow leopard monitoring project
WWF assessed the possibility to fight illegal helicopter hunting
WWF considers support of antipoaching activities an essential part of wildlife conservation in Altai – Sayan
Snow Leopard Camera Trapping in Argut River Valley
“Stars” of Tuva appeal to Snow Leopard Conservation
|
WWF Russia & Mongolia. (2011). WWF Newsletter Altai-Sayan Ecoregion July – September 2011.
|
Rovero, F., Augugliaro, C., Havmoller, R. W., Groff, C., Zimmerman, F., Oberosler, V., Tenan, S. (2018). Co-occurrence of snow leopard Panthera uncia, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica and livestock: potential relationships and effects. Oryx, , 1–7.
Abstract: Understanding the impact of livestock on native
wildlife is of increasing conservation relevance. For the
Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia, wild prey reduction,
intensifying human�wildlife conflicts and retaliatory
killings are severe threats potentially exacerbated by the
presence of livestock. Elucidating patterns of co-occurrence
of snow leopards, wild ungulate prey, and livestock, can be
used to assess the compatibility of pastoralism with conservation.
We used camera trapping to study the interactions of
livestock, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica and snow leopards in
a national park in the Altai mountains, Mongolia. We obtained
 detections of wild mammals and  of domestic
ungulates, dogs and humans. Snow leopards and Siberian
ibex were recorded  and  times, respectively. Co-occurrence
modelling showed that livestock had a higher estimated
occupancy (.) than ibex, whose occupancy was
lower in the presence of livestock (.) than in its absence
(.�. depending on scenarios modelled). Snow leopard
occupancy did not appear to be affected by the presence of
livestock or ibex but the robustness of such inference was
limited by uncertainty around the estimates. Although our
sampling at presumed snow leopard passing sites may have
led to fewer ibex detections, results indicate that livestock
may displace wild ungulates, but may not directly affect
the occurrence of snow leopards. Snow leopards could still
be threatened by livestock, as overstocking can trigger
human�carnivore conflicts and hamper the conservation
of large carnivores. Further research is needed to assess
the generality and strength of our results.
|
Schaller, G. B., Tserendeleg, J., & Amarsana, G. (1994). Observations on snow leopards in Mongolia. In J.Fox, & D.Jizeng (Eds.), (pp. 33–42). Usa: Islt.
|
Prokopov K.P. (1990). Taxonomic list of mammal fauna of eastern Kazakhstan (Vol. Vol. I.).
Abstract: During the period 1965 through 1988, studies were conducted in the north-east of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan's Altai, Zaisan depression, Saur-Tarbagatai) and list of mammals (104 species) for the area made.
|
Poyarkov A.D. (1999). Irbis in south-western Tuva.
Abstract: In 1998, under the WWF Altai-Sayans ecoregion conservation program, traces of snow leopard were detected in the ridges of Tsaran-Shibetu and Shipshal. The density of vital activity traces is comparable with those in northern Mongolia.
|