Abstract: During a six-week period in Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India, snow leopards killed 10 sheep and goats and one leopard gained access to a livestock pen and killed many of the animals inside. Dholes also killed sheep and goats, and a wolf killed a young horse. Residents routinely remove snow leopard cubs from their dens to limit future damage by this species. How to deal with the plight of the people living in the area while still protecting the endangered species are major concerns of the International Snow Leopard Trust, which manages Hemis National Park. lgh.

Abstract: A high percentage of rare species in Central Asia experience limited conditions for distribution. Geographic centers with higher species diversity are generally constrained in terms of territory: they are formed when ranges overlap. But in Central Asia and along its borders with Russia, centers of biodiversity overlap at the very marginal edges of ranges. Central Asian species cross into Russian territory, where desert and steppe are replaced by thick forest. Here the northern borders of their ranges are sharply fragmented and isolated. Typical examples for Central Asia are the ranges of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), Asian leopard (Panthera pardus caucasica), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), Bukhara deer (Census elaphus bactrianus), markhor (Capra falconeri), blue sheep (Pseudois nayauf) and argali (Ovis ammon). In Russia are the Altai subspecies of argali, the Siberian argali (O.a.ammon), the mountain goat (Capra sibirica), Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), snow leopard (Uncia uncia), Pallas' cat (Felis manul), dhole (Cuon alpinus), grey marmot (Marmota baibacina), Mongolian marmot (M. sibirica) and tolai hare (Lepus tolai). Where the numbers o f individuals has fallen to extreme lows, the most effective mechanism for species survival may be supporting the integrity of ranges, in order to preserve population exchanges between neighboring groups. The geographic location of reserves and other protected territories is vitally important for the survival of Central Asian species, given the acute fragmentation of their ranges. These reserves should include significant, viable centers of population the key places. Wherever the creation of permanent protected territories is impossible, a new tactic must be found, such as introducing temporary limitations on the use of land for agriculture and hunting. But all protected territories, whether temporary or permanent, should be connected, forming a core and periphery. The marginal range areas must not be forgotten, if total protection of endangered populations is to be accomplished.

Abstract: The author studied livestock killed by predators in the Spiti Valley, India, to determine what species had killed yaks, horses, donkeys, and other domestic animals. Eleven of the kills examined were made by snow leopards and six by the Tibetan wolf. Wolves were involved in surplus killings, while snow leopards kill as food is needed. lgh

Abstract: Described are distribution, biotopical distribution, food, and some biological features of Uncia uncia, Felis lynx, Lutra lutra. New finds of Lutra lutra were observed at the Kashkadarya river. All the species' populations were counted and the reasons for their decrease given. In the author's opinion, number of snow leopard is decreasing as number of Siberian ibex is decreasing too and snow leopard is being poached for. There are 10-12 snow leopards on the slopes of the Hissar ridge.

Abstract: It gives description complexes of mountain ecosystems fauna of Central Asia, endangered vertebrates, main threats to biodiversity and existing protected areas network. Among the rare animal species of the alpine and subalpine meadows first of all should be listed the West Tien Shan endemic, the Menzbier's marmot (Marmota menzbien); the markhor wild goat which still inhabits the Vakhsh range in Tadjikistan; the dhole (Cyon alpinus) which is practically extinct; the Tien Shan bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), and the snow leopard (Uncia uncia); among birds, the wlute-chested dove (Columba leuconota), sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus, snowcocks (Tetraogallus tibetanus, T.altaicus) and bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus).