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Author McCarthy, K.; Fuller, T.; Ming, M.; McCarthy, T.; Waits, L.; Jumabaev, K.
Title Assessing Estimators of Snow Leopard Abundance Type Miscellaneous
Year 2008 Publication Journal of Widlife Management Abbreviated Journal
Volume (down) 72 Issue 8 Pages 1826-1833
Keywords abundance; camera,capture-recapture,density,index,predator:prey ratios,techniques,Tien Shan,Uncia; leopard; SaryChat; sign surveys; Slims; snow; snow-leopard; snow leopard; Tomur
Abstract The secretive nature of snow leopards (Uncia uncia) makes them difficult to monitor, yet conservation efforts require accurate and precise methods to estimate abundance. We assessed accuracy of Snow Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS) sign surveys by comparing them with 4 methods for estimating snow leopard abundance: predator:prey biomass ratios, capture-recapture density estimation, photo-capture rate, and individual identification through genetic analysis. We recorded snow leopard sign during standardized surveys in the SaryChat Zapovednik, the Jangart hunting reserve, and the Tomur Strictly Protected Area, in the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan and China. During June-December 2005, adjusted sign averaged 46.3 (SaryChat), 94.6 (Jangart), and 150.8 (Tomur) occurrences/km. We used

counts of ibex (Capra ibex) and argali (Ovis ammon) to estimate available prey biomass and subsequent potential snow leopard densities of 8.7 (SaryChat), 1.0 (Jangart), and 1.1 (Tomur) snow leopards/100 km2. Photo capture-recapture density estimates were 0.15 (n = 1 identified individual/1 photo), 0.87 (n = 4/13), and 0.74 (n = 5/6) individuals/100 km2 in SaryChat, Jangart, and Tomur, respectively. Photo-capture rates

(photos/100 trap-nights) were 0.09 (SaryChat), 0.93 (Jangart), and 2.37 (Tomur). Genetic analysis of snow leopard fecal samples provided minimum population sizes of 3 (SaryChat), 5 (Jangart), and 9 (Tomur) snow leopards. These results suggest SLIMS sign surveys may be affected by observer bias and environmental variance. However, when such bias and variation are accounted for, sign surveys indicate relative abundances similar to photo rates and genetic individual identification results. Density or abundance estimates based on capture-recapture or ungulate biomass did not agree with other indices of abundance. Confidence in estimated densities, or even detection of significant changes in abundance of snow leopard, will require more effort and better documentation.
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Call Number SLN @ rana @ 881 Serial 653
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Author Kashkarov, E.
Title THE SNOW LEOPARD OF KIRGIZIA: NATIONAL SHAME OR NATIONAL PRIDE Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume (down) Issue Pages 239-253
Keywords snow leopard, irbis, ibex, mountain sheep, conservation, range, reserve, monitoring, cameratrap, Sarychat, Kirgizia, Central Asia.
Abstract Article examines the problems existing in conservation of the snow leopard in Kirgizia after break-up of the

USSR. Unfortunate situation is common to most of the 14 countries in the snow leopard range, but seems

especially sharp to Kirgizia. Yet half of the century ago Kirgizia has had about 1.5 thousand of the snow

leopards, and today there remains no more than 1/10. In Soviet time Kirgizia was a global supplier of the

snow leopards for the zoo-export � to create a reserve number of endangered cats in captivity. Today, at

least half of the snow leopards in the Zoos of the world are individuals, caught in Kirgizia or their

descendants.

Since independence, Kirgizia has set new records. In Sarychat-Irtash reserve � the best for the snow

leopard in Central Asia, and probably in the whole range � this species was completely destroyed after 3

years of reserve opening... and 17 years later � revived... Situation comes presently back to the worst-case

scenario, and not only for the snow leopard. Author shows how work in this direction social and economic

levers, and what kind future he would like to see in Kirgizia, where he lived for 12 years and was at the

forefront of pioneering research of the snow leopard and its conservation.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1454
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