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The number of studies on snow leopard ecology has surged dramatically over the past few decades. However, despite this increase, many essential aspects of the species biology, which are critical for shaping effective conservation and management strategies, remain poorly understood. A particularly crucial area of research is the population connectivity and genetic structure of snow leopards across their naturally fragmented range.

In our study, we focused on the Dzungarian region, specifically Kazakhstan, which has been repeatedly identified as a potentially significant area of connectivity between the southwestern and northern portions of the snow leopard range. We analyzed genetic data (mtDNA and microsatellites) of snow leopards from Russia, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan to recognize both historical and recent signatures of gene flow between the major fragmented regions of the species’ distribution. Our results confirm the Dzungarian region’s role as a crucial area of connectivity between the core and northern populations, thereby providing empirical support for prior habitat-and connectivity-model predictions. However, we did not find clear evidence to unambiguously identify whether Kazakhstan or Chinese Xinjiang serves as the primary corridor linking these two fragmented parts of the snow leopard range. We believe that connectivity across the global species’ range likely relies on several narrow corridors forming contact zones, facilitated by the species’ capacity for long-distance movements.

Further research efforts are needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of population connectivity in this focal region. Considering the Dzungarian region’s potential to support gene flow between the two major portions of the snow leopard range, conservation strategies should prioritize the preservation of habitats that can function as “stepping stones” to facilitate migration between the Tian Shan and the northern populations in Mongolia and Russia.

Genomic data can help inform conservation in numerous ways. Katie will begin by describing what insights they have been able to make regarding the evolutionary history and current status of snow leopard using whole genome sequencing data (these results are thoroughly described in the PNAS publication), and will then detail how this genomic information was used to create a new molecular tool (specifically, a SNP panel), to identify snow leopard individuals genetically from fecal samples (this project is thoroughly described in the Molecular Ecology Resources publication). Katie completes her presentation by discussing how this SNP panel can be employed across the snow leopard range to hopefully aid in existing conservation efforts. Our speaker hopes that some researchers in the audience might be interested in utilizing this SNP panel on samples from their research area and will be eager to answer any questions about how this can be done. 

EarthRanger – Protecting wildlife and ecosystems with data-driven insights. We bring you an overview of the EarthRanger platform for protecting wildlife and ecosystems with data-driven insights. EarthRanger brings everything together—collect data from the field, integrate your technology, see your wildlife and teams in real time, create reports and visualizations to summarize your data, and develop strategies that accelerate your impact. Since its inception in 2015, EarthRanger has helped protected area managers make informed, conservation-related operational decisions. It is also used by ecologists and biologists to study wildlife and habitats, and to advocate for their protection.

This talk focuses on a community-based biodiversity monitoring system in the Sanjiangyuan Region, explaining how we design and deploy over 300 camera traps and how over 300 local monitors assist us in collecting data. We will also cover our methods for camera management and the incentive mechanisms used to support and motivate local monitors. The presentation will also touch upon our use of various other monitoring methods to survey ungulates and birds, as we attempt to build a comprehensive understanding of the entire ecosystem.

The Mongolian Gobi-Steppe is a vast and unique landscape, home to incredible wildlife and the nomadic herders who depend on it. In recent years, WCS Mongolia has increased its engagement with communities in the South Gobi to address growing threats like mining, infrastructure, and climate change.  

In her talk, Boloroo will share strategies that are gradually catalyzing local conservation action, focusing on three key approaches that support communities in protecting this fragile ecosystem. First, she’ll describe how herders across seven communities are working to safeguard more than 4,400 km² of important wildlife corridors, helping to create a growing conservation landscape. Next, she’ll highlight how herder groups are being engaged to support nomadic wildlife, such as khulans and goitered gazelles, in safely moving through fragmented habitats. Finally, Boloroo will discuss climate adaptation efforts that apply local action to help communities and wildlife prepare for a changing environment.  Her presentation will show how these strategies are steadily building momentum and fostering conservation beyond protected areas.

We are delighted to invite you to view this special webinar presentation with Rodney Jackson and Rinzin Phunjok Lama.

In this webinar, Rodney Jackson – the first scientist to radio-collar snow leopards, will share milestones along his 45+year career dedicated to the research and conservation of this seldom seen big cat. Much of Rodney’s pioneering work was undertaken before the introduction of PC computers, hand-held GPS devices, or smart phones and without benefit of walkie-talkies or digital cameras. His study area in Western Nepal was only reachable via a 12-day or more trek over arduous, dangerous trails, with all supplies, food and equipment for the 3–6-month field session portered in by local people or more rarely on yaks. Rodney and his team rarely saw snow leopards but nevertheless were able to gather extensive information on snow leopard behavior, movements and habitat selection using telemetry and tracking social sign-posts along travel lanes favored by male and female snow leopards alike.

From this seminal study, Rodney will share his work training Protected Area rangers in Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia using sign transects (SLIMS) to conducting the first camera trap and non-invasive studies, pioneering community-driven conservation and wildlife-livestock conflict mitigation to working with Traditional Cultural Elders, shamans and educators in Central Asia. Over the past few decades, he has focused on mentoring the next generation of conservationists.  

Rodney and Rinzin will then discuss how studies of snow leopards and their prey have changed from the “muddy boots” days of the 1970s-1990’s to involve closer and more interactive exchanges with local communities for resolving human-wildlife conflict, address climate change and laying basic framework for empowering local people to become increasingly effective as citizen scientists and front-line guardians of the snow leopard, its mountain biodiversity and their own environment. While key questions remain, like “how many snow leopards are there?”, the need for more strategic conservation action to address many growing threats remains. Indeed, the future of snow leopards’ rests with the current generation of biologists, ecologists and social scientists — men and women working in tandem with local people (especially pastoralists and herders) and government rather than being heavily driven by academia.

SLN invites you to this webinar presentation that delves into the ecological coexistence of two apex predators—the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the common leopard (Panthera pardus)—within the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal. Drawing from a combination of historical accounts dating back to the 1950s and extensive winter camera trap data collected between 2016 and 2023 in the Annapurna Conservation Area (elevations 3,100–4,696 m), the study challenges conventional assumptions about the recent appearance of common leopards at high altitudes being solely a result of climate change.

This work unveils China’s first large-scale assessment of snow leopard populations, focusing on the Sanjiangyuan region, spanning over 360,000 km2. By integrating and standardizing seven years of camera trap data (2015–2021) from 12 sites across four organizations, we obtained a population estimation of 1,002 snow leopards (755–1,341) in Sanjiangyuan, with a density of 0.90 individuals per 100 km². These findings not only highlight Sanjiangyuan’s role as a global conservation priority but also demonstrate a scalable framework for synthesizing existing data to estimate elusive species population.

Dr. Shafqat Hussain founded Project Snow Leopard in 1999 as a pilot project and later the Organization was registered in 2007, as Baltistan Wildlife Conservation and Development Organization (BWCDO), to work with local communities to find a way to compensate them for their livestock loss, while also removing the incentive to retaliate against the snow leopard. 

BWCDO works with remote communities throughout Baltistan in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. Their work currently covers over 18 villages across six valleys. Recently, BWCDO has also started working in Gojal Region in Upper Hunza. BWCDO work with local communities to resolve human wildlife conflict and co-existence

This webinar explores experiences as a research assistant on long-term research projects in the remote forests of Central America and Equatorial Africa. Virginia Tech University’s IX Belize Jaguar Project in Belize and the Max Planck Institute’s LuiKotale Bonobo Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have both continuously studied elusive species for more than 20 years in historically remote field sites. Utilizing diverse methods to study population dynamics, occupancy modelling, and behavior, these field sites contribute rigorous study of some of the least observed mammal species: jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), and mesocarnivores of Central America, and bonobos (Pan paniscus) of the DRC. Long-term field sites are invaluable, not just for the dynamic research projects they support, but also for the community investment they contribute, and conservation initiatives they promote in the areas surrounding project sites.