Abstract: Monitoring Techniques Forest leopards have never been systematically surveyed in African forests, in spite of their potentially vital ecological role as the sole large mammalian predators in these systems. Because leopards are rarely seen in this habitat, and are difficult to survey using the most common techniques for assessing relative abundances of forest mammals, baseline knowledge of leopard ecology and responses to human disturbance in African forests remain largely unknown. This technical handbook sums up the experience gained during a two-year study of leopards by Philipp Henschel in the Lop‚ Reserve in Gabon, Central Africa, in 2001/2002, supplemented by additional experience from carnivore studies conducted by Justina Ray in southwestern Central African Republic and eastern Congo (Zaire) . The main focus of this effort has been to develop a protocol that can be used by fieldworkers across west and central Africa to estimate leopard densities in various forest types. In developing this manual, Henschel tested several indirect methods to assess leopard numbers in both logged and unlogged forests, with the main effort devoted to testing remote photography survey methods developed for tigers by Karanth (e.g., Karanth 1995, Karanth & Nichols 1998; 2000; 2002), and modifying them for the specific conditions characterizing African forest environments. This handbook summarizes the results of the field testing, and provides recommendations for techniques to assess leopard presence/absence, relative abundance, and densities in African forest sites. We briefly review the suitability of various methods for different study objectives and go into particular detail on remote photography survey methodology, adapting previously developed methods and sampling considerations specifically to the African forest environment. Finally, we briefly discuss how camera trapping may be used as a tool to survey other forest mammals. Developing a survey protocol for African leopards is a necessary first step towards a regional assessment and priority setting exercise targeted at forest leopards, similar to those carried out on large carnivores in Asian and South American forests.

Abstract: Under this grant awarded by The Leonard X. Bosack and Bette M. Kruger Foundation through the auspices of Cat Action Treasury, SLC set out to accomplish the following outcomes in our Stewardship Program:
As of July 1, 2003 we completed the following major activities:
* Tested and compared different remote sensor and camera configurations to determine which is most reliable at “capturing” passing snow leopards;
* Investigated sampling strategies and camera trap placement with respect to snow leopard travel patterns and marking behavior;
* Compared different survey methods: direct (non-invasive capture of photos and DNA material contained in hairs), and indirect (sign transects and presence/absence surveys under the standard SLIMS protocol);
* Assessed the attitude of local people toward snow leopards, wolves and other wildlife as well as their perceptions of benefits and costs associated with the Hemis National Park, in order to craft more effective conservation and park management measures.
These activities mesh with SLC’s ongoing program of predator-proofing livestock corrals in settlements of the Hemis National Park, as well as outside protected areas (including Zanskar, Lingshed and Kanji. For each village’s corrals that are improved, we estimate that five or more snow leopards are saved from retaliatory killing by shepherds who lose valuable livestock.
Our program in assisting villagers to gain supplementary income from tourism-related activities is gaining strength, with trainings in 10 settlements this spring. SLC brought staff of KCC, the Khangchenjunga Conservation Committee, a local NGO based in Sikkim to assist in the skills training and to exchange ideas and experiences from other areas.
Following on from the groundwork laid during the first Bosack-Kruger grant to SLC, we launched a major initiative in collaboration with the Mountain Institute, the Himalayan Homestay program. Funding for this is being provided by UNESCO.
For further information on these and other snow leopard conservation efforts, see our newly designed web-page.
The following paragraphs summarize our accomplishments to date, supported by this grant. For detailed information, please consult the following reports, which are being mailed under separate cover:
1) “Local People’s Attitudes toward Wildlife Conservation in Hemis National Park with Special Reference to the Conservation of Large Predators” (prepared by Rodney Jackson, Rinchen Wangchuk and Jigmet Dadul)
2) “Non-Invasive Monitoring to Support Stewardship of Snow Leopards and Their Prey:
Evaluation of Remote Camera Traps for Censusing Snow Leopards” (prepared by Rodney Jackson and Jerry Roe).

Abstract: It gives the description of communicative behavioral system (visual, olfactory and vocal elements) for two groups of large Felidae species such as leopard-irbis and lynx-caracal. General and specific behavioral regularities are given.

Abstract: During 1984-1987, 1992-1995, and 1998-2001, the author researched snow leopard, white lipped deer, kiang, and argali in Qinghai, Gansu, Xingiang, and Sichuan. He collected 644 snow leopard droppings, and analyzed kinds of foods and sources from perch. Snow leopard's foods include most main foods, main foods, comparative foods and lesser foods. Studied one another
index of faunistic congruence of foods species that from various distribution and variation both perch vertical variety and foods of snow leopard.