Webinar – Snow Leopard Network

SLN Webinar – Ethical Nature Conservation – a way to move forward.

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar on Wednesday, 30th October, 2024.

About the Talk:

This webinar shares news about Ethical Conservation Alliance (ECA) which has been active since 2023, as a transformative force, aiming to help conserve biodiversity while addressing the historical injustices to indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs).

Rooted in Western science and colonial practices, traditional biodiversity conservation methods have often marginalized IPLCs, sidelining the very groups that are crucial to the success of conservation efforts.

Recognizing the urgent need for a shift towards ethical biodiversity conservation, the ECA is working to develop cadres of frontline conservationists who are trained and have the needful tools to foster respectful relationships with IPLCs. By enabling respectful partnerships with IPLCs, the ECA aims to facilitate these communities as key stakeholders and rights holders in biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, and sustainable development. This approach aligns really well with the goals of multiple international conventions, particularly as these frameworks increasingly emphasize the importance of local and Indigenous involvement in biodiversity conservation.

The webinar also describes how conservation practitioners use resources developed by the Alliance for their own work.

About our Speaker:

We welcome, Bayarjargal Agvaantseren, Executive Director of the Snow Leopard Network. Bayara is the former Director of the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation in Mongolia, and she currently contributes to the Snow Leopard Trust’s regional team. Bayara’s dedication to snow leopards and their conservation in the wild spans back to 1998, and her many accomplishments include – setting up community-based programs back in the early 2000s to elevating the status of protection of snow leopard habitat in the South Gobi.

About our Facilitator:

As our facilitator, we welcome, Koustubh Sharma – the International Coordinator of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) and Science & Conservation Director at the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT). With nearly 20 years of experience in ecological research, wildlife conservation and training, he helps build collaborations and coordinate alliances and at multiple levels for snow leopard research and conservation.

Date/Time:

Wednesday 30th, October at 15:00 pm (Bishkek time)

Location:

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note:

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session

SLN Webinar: Seasonal patterns of dietary overlap between Mongolian saiga and livestock

The Snow Leopard Network invites you to join us for our webinar with Bayarmaa Chuluunbat, WCS – Mongolia, on Friday, 20th September, 2024.

About the Talk:

Understanding the diet composition of animals is essential for comprehending their ecology and developing effective conservation strategies, especially for endangered species. In the depressions of Great Lakes of western Mongolia, the critically endangered Mongolian saiga coexists year-round with livestock. This research aims to determine the seasonal dietary overlap between the Mongolian saiga and livestock using the microhistological method.

Bayarmaa has also created a microhistological reference key for over 120 different plant species in the steppe and desert steppe. This key is vital for determining the diet of herbivores and understanding their dietary habits in these regions. Given the widespread practice of livestock husbandry in Mongolia, understanding the dietary habits and overlaps between wildlife and livestock is crucial for conservation efforts and rangeland management. This is particularly important for endangered ungulates, many of which are found in the steppe and desert steppe. Additionally, these regions are significant for snow leopard conservation, as their diet includes these herbivores.

About our Speaker:

Bayarmaa Chuluunbat is a Wildlife Biologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society and one of the young researchers in Mongolia. Her journey in wildlife conservation began at the age of 14, when she became involved in eco-clubs focused on protecting endangered species such as the Snow Leopard, Mongolian Saiga, and Dalmatian Pelican. Growing up in the unique ecosystem of the Mongol Altai mountains, Bayarmaa developed a profound interest in observing wildlife behavior in their natural habitats. This region and her hometown, is home to many endangered species.

In high school, Bayarmaa initiated an anti-trapping campaign with the support of WWF-Mongolia to protect the world’s rarest Snow Leopard. This campaign successfully saved thousands of animals from the threat of traps. Additionally, she studied the impact of climate change and livestock on wetland plant communities in Khurkh-Khuiten river valley where is located northeastern Mongolia, which is a crucial habitat for the endangered White-naped Cranes. During her graduate studies, she investigated the seasonal dietary overlap between the Mongolian Saiga and livestock supported by WSCC, WCN and SCA.

Bayarmaa’s primary concern is balancing development with healthy ecosystems. While economic growth in Mongolia is vital, it can lead to land degradation and biodiversity loss. The shift from nomadic to sedentary lifestyles has caused overgrazing and desertification. Mongolia needs well-trained conservation professionals, and Bayarmaa aspires to be one, dedicated to sustainable development and preserving biodiversity for future generations.

About our Facilitator:

Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar (Buuvei) is a senior scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Mongolia Program, boasting 20 years of dedicated experience in safeguarding Mongolia’s unique biodiversity. He earned both his master’s and PhD degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Buuvei is an active member of the Antelope and Equid Specialist Groups at the IUCN and serves on the steering committee of the Saiga Conservation Alliance. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to develop and implement research and conservation programs focused on protecting endangered nomadic ungulates such as the saiga antelope, Asiatic wild ass, goitered gazelle, and Mongolian gazelle. His expertise covers critical areas including habitat connectivity, wildlife monitoring, spatial ecology, and biodiversity conservation.

Date/Time:

Friday, 20th September at 14:00 pm (Bishkek time)

Location:

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note:

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session

SLN Webinar: Storytelling as a tool for conservation – with Dan O’Neill

The Snow Leopard Network is excited to invite you to our webinar on “Storytelling as a tool for conservation”.

About the Talk:

Join Dan O’Neill, a wildlife filmmaker, biologist, and Snow Leopard Trust ‘Explorer in Residence’, to discuss how storytelling and media are crucial tools in conservation. He will share his experiences from working in remote areas around the world, showing how telling engaging stories both locally and internationally can inspire action, raise awareness, and connect people with nature.

Dan will explain how documentary filmmaking and photography can be harnessed to protect endangered species and habitats in unexpected ways, helping to garner public support and even influence policy. Using visuals and real-life examples, he will demonstrate effective storytelling techniques and the role of modern media in breaking new ground.

About our Speaker:

Dan O’Neill is a wildlife filmmaker, field biologist, and certified survivalist, specialising in remote and challenging environments. He has organised numerous expeditions in search of rare animals from the pristine jungles of the northern Amazon and Mayan temple ruins of the Yucatan, to the frozen peaks of Central Asia. He is regularly involved on scientific expeditions, primarily working as an expedition leader, field technician and location lecturer. He has camera-trapped for jaguars across the Neotropics from Guyana to Mexico and assisted the Snow Leopard Trust in Central Asia.

About our Facilitator:

Bayarjargal Agvaantseren, Executive Director of the Snow Leopard Network. Bayara is the former Director of the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation in Mongolia, and she currently contributes to the Snow Leopard Trust’s regional team. Bayara’s dedication to snow leopards and their conservation in the wild spans back to 1998, and her many accomplishments include – setting up community-based programs back in the early 2000s to elevating the status of protection of snow leopard habitat in the South Gobi.

Date/Time

Tuesday, 13th August @ 14:30 pm (Bishkek time)

Location

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session

SLN Webinar: One-Health-One-Welfare: A Holistic and Interdisciplinary Approach for Snow Leopard Conservation

SLN invites you to our fourth webinar of 2024 with the team from Snow Leopard Conservancy.

(2023 OHOW Paraveterinarian training)

About the Talk:

The Snow Leopard Conservancy partners with local conservationists, range country and international organizations, and mountain communities living with snow leopards. SLC invests in solutions that save the lives of snow leopards and other predators from the consequence of human-wildlife conflict and build a long term foundation of coexistence, guardianship and self-reliance. SLC’s initiatives empower Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge, evidence-based science, and promote healthy mountain ecosystems across the snow leopard’s range.

(2023 OHOW Chame Animal Health Clinic)

The One-Health-One-Welfare initiative facilitates a community-driven and holistic conservation approach that bridges educational, health, and environmental challenges within the remote mountain communities of Nepal. Using a One Health framework, that aims to conserve snow leopards and their habitat by improving local livelihoods, agricultural practices, expanding snow leopard conservation education, improving access to livestock veterinary care, reducing zoonotic disease transmission, and building local capacity to address these challenges.

Snow leopard
Panthera uncia
Mother grooming three-month-old cub(s)
San Francisco Zoo, California
*Captive – (pc -Suzi Eszterhas)

Nepal Snow Leopard Scout program

About our Speaker:

Ashleigh Lutz-Nelson is the Executive Director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC). Ashleigh has a B.S. in Zoology (Pre-Veterinary) from the University of Florida and a MSc from Royal Veterinary College and Zoological Society of London in Wild Animal Biology. Prior to SLC, Ashleigh worked as a Zoologist in AZA-Accredited Zoos in Florida and California for 20 years, specializing with wild carnivores, particularly felids. She has also worked closely with Ruaha Carnivore Project, Malayan Conservation Alliance for Tigers, Pallas’s Cat International Conservation Alliance, and the Felid Taxon Advisory Group, serving as a ‘Wildlife Health Bridge’, between zoos & field conservation organizations to build collaboration and collective impact. She is the co-founder and co-director of SLC’s One-Health-One-Welfare initiative to improve animal-human health and the protection of snow leopards and other wildlife in Nepal. Using her interdisciplinary zoological and conservation background in animal behavior, welfare, veterinary medicine and creative problem solving, she aims to further compassionate human-wildlife coexistence in a rapidly changing world.

About our Facilitator:

Koustubh Sharma is the International Coordinator of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) and the Director of Science and Conservation at the Snow Leopard Trust. With nearly 20 years of experience in ecological research, wildlife conservation and training, he helps build collaborations and coordinate alliances and at multiple levels for snow leopard research and conservation.

(2022 OHOW workshops in Phu Valley Annapurna Nepal)

Date/Time

Thursday, 16th May at 09:00am Bishkek time

Location

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session

SLN Webinar: Tech for wildlife: The role AI and technology can play in nature conservation

About the Talk:

In this webinar hosted by the Snow Leopard Network, Peter van Lunteren’s presentation will explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in nature conservation, specifically emphasizing its potential applications in advancing Snow Leopard conservation efforts.

A picture of a snow leopard taken from the snow leopard network website. Box drawn by Peter. Photo credits to Shan Shui/SLT/Panthera

Peter will examine the current state of AI capabilities and discuss how conservationists can leverage automation and computer vision to enhance efficiency in their work. The focus will be on using AI for data analysis, real-time audio, and image processing in remote areas. Technologies such as camera traps, GPS collar tracking, and bioacoustic monitoring will be discussed. By addressing the current possibilities and challenges, Peter aims to shed light on how AI can be a powerful ally in the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Snow Leopards and their habitats.

A lion with a GPS collar. Credit to Dr. Philip Stander of Desert Lion Conservation.

Peter photographing the environment in Northern Uganda.

About our Speaker:

How would I describe myself? I’m an optimistic, methodical, results-oriented, tech-savvy ecologist with a passion for developing data-driven solutions that improve the quality of ecological research and monitoring. My name is Peter van Lunteren, and I am an ecologist and data scientist. I have worked for several conservation initiatives over the past years and started out as a field biologist. I gradually came in contact with the world of conservation technology, until I eventually founded Addax Data Science. Addax specializes in the fusion of ecology, data science, and artificial intelligence to develop tailored tools to meet your specific needs. Projects range from statistical data analysis to streamlining research processes, including data flows, automated reports, dashboards, and custom species identification models for various applications, such as bird vocalizations, camera trap image analysis, or gunshot and chainsaw detection and localization.

Example of statistical output: a heatmap. Created by Peter.

Date/Time

Tuesday, 26th March at 14:00pm Bishkek time

Location

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session.

SLN Webinar: Empowering Communities for Snow Leopard Conservation with CRAs

Join us for our upcoming webinar that highlights the importance of community-led conservation in safeguarding the snow leopard and its habitat. Through generations, local communities and indigenous people have played a crucial role in preserving the environment, and their traditional practices and knowledge can greatly contribute to the protection of natural resources and biodiversity. This webinar will delve into community-based approaches to conservation and showcase the Community Responsible Area (CRA) model being implemented in Mongolia. By exploring this model, we can explore strategies to protect threatened species such as the snow leopard while also supporting sustainable livelihoods for local people. We are thrilled to have Dr. Tserennadmid Nadia Mijiddorj as our guest speaker, sharing her invaluable insights and experiences from her work with the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation in Mongolia. Justine Shanti Alexander, WCS – Mongolia program, will join us as our Discussant and Bayarjargal Agvaantseren, our Executive Director will be our Facilitator.

About the Talk

The upcoming webinar focuses on an innovative approach to conserving the natural resources of Mongolia and protecting its wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard. Since 2009, the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation has been working to secure the legal rights of communities to manage their pastoral land and sustainably use its resources. This involves mapping and delineating Community Responsible Areas (CRAs) based on traditional resource use and grazing patterns. The CRAs are managed through local communities with legal entities, and their aim is to promote sustainable pasture management, secure legal land rights, and support livelihood-linked conservation activities. The webinar will showcase the progress made in implementing the CRA approach across Mongolia and share inspiring community stories that demonstrate the approach’s effectiveness.

About our Guest

We are honored to have Dr. Tserennadmid Nadia Mijiddorj as our guest speaker for this upcoming webinar. Nadia has been actively engaged in snow leopard conservation projects since 2002, and her passion for ecology and the environment has been a driving force in her career. Her research interests lie in understanding how herding communities interact with mountain rangeland ecosystems, and how these interactions can inform conservation efforts in the region. In addition to her work on snow leopard conservation, Nadia recently completed her Ph.D. on the topic of “Climate change impacts on Gobi rangeland and herding communities in South Gobi Mongolia”.

About Our Discussant:

Actively involved in wildlife conservation efforts for a diverse range of species in Mongolia, Justine Shanti Alexander serves as the Country Director for WCS. With a Ph.D. from Beijing Forestry University, earned in 2015, she specialized in snow leopard conservation in Central China. Formerly, she held roles as the Senior Conservation Scientist for the Snow Leopard Trust and Executive Director of the Snow Leopard Network.

Since 2016, Justine has been contributing to conservation in Mongolia, expanding her focus beyond snow leopards to various species. Her approach involves integrating policy development, community conservation, and scientific research for effective landscape-level action. Justine emphasizes collaboration, believing in the power of partnerships to maximize impact.

About our Facilitator:

Date/Time

Thursday, 07th March at 14:00pm Bishkek time

Location

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session.

SLN Webinar: What’s behind a Snow Leopards Spots? A One Health Approach to investigate emerging disease in the iconic Snow Leopard-Panthera uncia

Welcome to our first Webinar of 2024 in which we are happy to host Dr. Carol Esson.

About the Talk:

In this talk today, Carol will be presenting the key questions and outcomes of her PhD research project on Snow Leopards in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia.

Emerging wildlife diseases are a growing concern across the world. They have wide-spread and diverse ramifications, including effects on and interactions between, endangered species, production animals, human health and livelihoods (Smith et al. 2009). In the future, successful disease control will have to reach across the traditional boundaries of conservation, human health and production animal diseases to achieve integrated disease assessment and control programs.

A One Health Approach was utilised to investigate disease threats to an endangered species in a remote location. Carol will talk about the rationale behind the research project design, the techniques used, the analysis and outcomes and how the results should lead to an improved understanding of how we can manage these populations from any future disease threats. These techniques we employ will be able to be extrapolated to other threatened species in remote locations.

About our Speaker:

Dr. Carol Esson graduated from the University of Sydney in 1987 with Honours in Zoology. From there she worked on several conservation projects within Australia looking at Koala nutrition, Yellow footed rock Wallabies and several other species of Australian wildlife..

Carol went back to university and completed her Veterinary Science degree in 1991- her aim was always to combine her zoology/ecology degree with Vet science as she was/is always passionate about conservation and investigating disease in wildlife. Carol wanted to contribute, in a hands on approach, to help understand and protect populations of the many threatened species on our planet.

Carol has worked for many years both in a veterinary clinic to maintain her surgical and diagnostic skills, wildlife parks within Australia and as the field vet on several research projects both within Australia and overseas on a large variety of species. Also on a voluntary basis to increase her experience with as many species as possible.

Carol completed her Masters of Wildlife and Conservation Medicine in 1998- her research thesis looked at haematology and biochemistry in the Norther Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus).

In 2011, Carol volunteered with the Snow Leopard Trust to help with an ecological study, It was such an amazing place in the Gobi Desert and the need for a disease study involving the snow leopards was obvious. In 2012, Carol started a pilot study and in 2013 it became the basis of her PhD.

Dr. Carol Esson continues to work as much as possible on research projects for threatened and endangered species and treating native Australian wildlife.

About our Discussant:

Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz holds a PhD in Ecology and Natural Resource Management, with 25 years of experience in the field of wildlife research and conservation. His research primarily focuses on understanding the ecology, and conservation issues of threatened species. Dr. Nawaz employs both field and molecular techniques to gain insights into the distribution patterns of species, the factors that influence their occupancy and niches, and their conservation issues.

Dr. Nawaz has published 70 peer-reviewed papers, five book chapters, and several management-oriented reports. His scientific work has been presented in 40 national and international conferences, and his contributions have been recognized with two international awards from the scientific community. In addition, he has provided guidance in the management planning of various protected areas, conducted capacity building activities for wildlife departments, and undertaken over 60 environmental assessment projects for the development sector.

About our Facilitator:

Sibylle Noras has been interested in snow leopards and their habitat since years of trekking in the Himalayas. With her media and communications background she started a snow leopard blog in 2008 to help spread the message of challenges faced by the species as well as the community conservation efforts by peoples sharing their habitat.

Sibylle was on the Snow Leopard Network Steering Committee from 2012 to 2018. She co-authored the chapter “Sharing the Conservation Message” in the book, “Snow Leopards: Biodiversity of the World”.

Living on the southern coast of Australia, Sibylle now also supports wildlife conservation efforts and environmental awareness in her home community.

Date/Time

Thursday, 29th February at 14:00pm Bishkek time

Location

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session.

SLN Webinar: Climate Change Mitigation and Snow Leopard Conservation- Community led Initiatives in Kyrgyzstan

Join us for a webinar that explores the interconnection between climate change, cultural heritage, and the conservation of the snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan. This event features a series of presentations from our guests, each dedicated to sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and community development. Our speakers from the Rural Development Fund (RDF), a public foundation dedicated to environmental preservation and community development, will explore how community-led efforts and traditional knowledge can play a pivotal role in both snow leopard conservation and climate change mitigation. Each project presented exemplifies the power of local engagement and cooperation in safeguarding the unique biodiversity of Kyrgyzstan’s landscapes.

About the presentation

The series of presentations collectively offer a diverse exploration of conservation, community development, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Kuluipa Akmatova will showcase the significance of collaboration in her extensive work, emphasizing snow leopard conservation and cultural heritage preservation. Marlis Sarchaev’s presentation delves into the success of the “Support to Development of a Green Agriculture by Local Communities” project, focusing on sustainable agriculture’s impact on climate change and community prosperity. Alina Zhenishbekova’s presentation spotlights her project’s innovative community engagement approach and her commitment to broader global concerns such as gender equality. Batma Kaldybek kyzy shares insights on the “Snow Leopard Guardians” project, highlighting the preservation of traditional knowledge and snow leopard conservation. Elvira Maratova’s perspective from the Regional Platform on Ecosystem Restoration underscores the importance of traditional wisdom in modern conservation efforts and climate change mitigation.

About our Guests:

Kuluipa Akmatova, Executive Director, RDF – A dedicated advocate for environmental conservation and sustainable community development. Since 2017, she has been leading the PF “Rural Development Fund” and actively participating in civil society development. Kuluipa is a member of the Governing Council of the World Union of Spiritual Practices, a Member of the International Network of Snow leopard defenders LOSL, a Member of the Supervisory Board of the Agency for Community Development and Investment of the Kyrgyz Republic (ARIS), Member of the Council on Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change under the Speaker of the Parliament (Jogorku Kenesh) of the Kyrgyz Republic, Member of the Advisory Committee of Anchor Schools for Youth Action on Climate Change in Central Asia at the initiative of the World Bank and also a Member of Global Steering Committee of Mountain Partnership Secretariat (alternative CA).

She will be sharing information on RDF’s experience on Climate change mitigation and Snow leopard conservation, as well as on TK, cultural heritage.

Marlis Sarchaev, Lawyer and Advocacy Specialist, RDF, and will represent the Association of Farmers for the Cultivation and Processing of Medicinal Herbs “Birlik.” This project, “Support to Development of a Green Agriculture by Local Communities,” implemented by RDF, had the goal of aiding climate change mitigation. This was achieved by creating a sustainable agricultural value chain model that prioritizes biodiversity preservation, enables adaptive production in response to environmental challenges, enhances productivity, and promotes the establishment of social and locally-rooted agro-enterprises. Consequently, the project led to the establishment of the “Birlik” Association of Farmers dedicated to cultivating and processing medicinal herbs. Currently, the association comprises 28 cooperatives and farms engaged in the cultivation and sale of medicinal plants in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Alina Zhenishbekova, Young Leader and Researcher, RDF – Alina Zhenishbekova is a Project Coordinator at the Rural Development Fund, where she oversees impactful initiatives aimed at improving the management of vital natural landscapes. Her role emphasizes expertise in community engagement and participatory methodologies, which will be prominently featured in her presentation of the project “Enhancing Chychkan Gorge Management in Kyrgyzstan.” This project empowers local communities to actively engage in decision-making, advancing effective conservation strategies.Moreover, Alina Zhenishbekova is a distinguished member of the Youth Platform within the International Land Coalition, a platform dedicated to addressing critical issues such as ecosystem restoration, land rights, and gender equality. She has actively participated in international youth forums centered on land-related topics and regional learning exchanges that underscore the significance of involving youth and women in decision-making processes concerning land rights.

Batma Kaldybek kyzy, Project Curator, RDF – Batma Kaldybek kyzy brings valuable experience in wildlife conservation and the dissemination of traditional knowledge. She leads the project “Snow Leopard Guardians: Reviving Traditional Knowledge for Conservation” and will share how the project engages youth and communities in preserving the snow leopard’s habitat through the dissemination of traditional knowledge and educational activities.

Elvira Maratova, Facilitator of the Regional Platform on Ecosystem Restoration at the International Land Coalition Asia – Elvira will present the platform’s vision, which acknowledges the value of established customary rules and practices that have preserved, regenerated, and sustained vital ecosystems over generations. This aligns with the broader objectives of climate change mitigation and wildlife conservation in the region.

Date/Time

Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 at 14:00pm Bishkek time

Location

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session.

We are also delighted to share that the Rural Development Fund has been honoured with the prestigious Jeonju International Award for the Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage and are excited to celebrate this remarkable achievement during the upcoming webinar.

SLN Webinar: Snow Leopards and Tibetan Herders: Coexistence from a Cultural Perspective

You are invited to a webinar that delves into the concept of ‘coexistence’. This term is intertwined with various strategies and conservation goals, but what does it truly encompass? Moreover, how does it resonate with different groups of people from diverse cultural perspectives? Join us in the company of our guest speaker, Gao Yufang, an interdisciplinary scholar, as he shares his recent research centered around the concept of ‘coexistence’ on the Tibetan plateau. His exploration is interwoven with the threads of traditional knowledge and culture, shedding light on the interconnections.

Our webinar will also feature the insights of Saloni Bhatia, a conservation anthropologist based at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment. Her prior research was conducted in Ladakh, where she explored the biocultural interplay between large carnivores and human populations, a journey she continues to explore. Finally, Arash Ghoddousi, joining us from Humboldt-University Berlin, as our facilitator, will weave together these diverse perspectives. We extend an invitation to you to partake in the discussion as we collectively explore the dimensions and implications of the concept of ‘coexistence’ across the snow leopard range and beyond.

About the Talk:

Credit: Nyanpo Yutse Conservation Association

Conservationists worldwide are making efforts to minimize human-wildlife conflicts for coexistence. Despite its varying definitions, coexistence generally requires humans to sustainably share landscapes and resources with wildlife. This is a grand objective that presents significant challenges. It requires more than scientific evidence, technological innovation, market efficiency, and policy adjustment, but also transformation in our mental map of reality, ways of knowing, and values. Yufang Gao’s interdisciplinary scholarship aims to develop a holistic understanding of the ecological, sociopolitical, and cultural dimensions of human-wildlife coexistence across multiple spatiotemporal scales and institutional contexts in China and worldwide. In this talk, he will use Tibetan traditional knowledge about snow leopards and other large carnivores to discuss the role of culture in shaping local imagination as to the ends, means, and contexts of coexistence and its implication for conservation.

Meet our Guests:

Yufang Gao is a Chinese conservationist passionate about integrating knowledge and practice for human-wildlife coexistence. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Peking University, a M.S. in Environmental Science, and a combined Ph.D. in conservation science and environmental anthropology from Yale University. For the past 15 years, Gao has worked with international, national, and local organizations on a wide range of projects related to large carnivore conservation on the Tibetan Plateau. His work has been recognized by the National Geographic Emerging Explorers Award, Marsh Award for Terrestrial Conservation Leadership, and Roy A. Rappaport Prize in Environmental Anthropology, among others. Currently, he is leading an initiative that aims to engage and empower early-career Chinese conservationists for the development of conservation edgewalkership.

Dr. Saloni Bhatia is a conservation anthropologist based at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Bangalore India. She studies the relationship between people and their environment including human-wildlife interactions, largely in the high altitude Himalayan landscape. Her past work has examined the biocultural relationships between large carnivores and people in Ladakh where she continues to work to the present day.

Arash Ghoddousi is a Research Fellow at Humboldt-University Berlin. The focus of my research is on understanding and improving the effectiveness of protected areas and law enforcement mechanisms, offering insight into human-wildlife conflict and poaching, as well as, improving methods in monitoring large mammals. He is particularly interested in the conservation of big cats and mountain ungulates with a special focus on southwest Asia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. He has close collaborations with conservation organizations (e.g., IUCN, WWF) around the world and consult on several projects.

Date/Time

Tuesday, 05th September, 2023 at 14:00pm Bishkek time

Location

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Please note

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session.

SLN Webinar: Cluster studies – What are they and what can we learn from them?

Join us for a webinar that delves into the fascinating world of cluster studies in snow leopard research. We will explore the realm of spatial ecology and its broader implications for understanding the species. Our guest, Gustaf Samelius, Assistant Director of Science for the Snow Leopard Trust, will join us to share a recent update on the collation of detailed cluster studies of snow leopards in the South Gobi, Mongolia. These studies, conducted in collaboration with the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation, are part of the Long-Term Ecological Study, which has been active for over 13 years. Gustaf will discuss how his time in the Gobi during spring 2023 has provided a more detailed understanding of the species.

We will also be joined by Yanlin Liu from Qinghai Normal University, China, who will participate as a discussant. Yanlin will share how the collaring work in the Qilianshan mountains of China (which is approx. less than 500km from the Mongolia South Gobi study) addresses similar or different questions related to prey predation. Koustubh Sharma will facilitate this discussion and we hope that participants will engage with our guests, with questions, as we delve into a broader conversation about snow leopard behavior and predation.

About the talk

GPS-collars are a common way to study spatial ecology but GPS-collars can also teach us about other aspects of ecology such as foraging patterns and reproductive biology. During this seminar, Gustaf will show us how they use what is called cluster studies (which is visiting of the places where collared animals stop for extended periods) to study predation patterns of collared snow leopards in southern Mongolia. Gustaf will also show us how they are also starting to use cluster studies to learn more about where the collared cats are resting and how this will help us understand how the cats are using the mountains and why they are limited to mountains.

About our Guests

Gustaf Samelius, Assistant Director of Science for the Snow Leopard Trust, specializes in applied ecology and the conservation of snow leopards and mountain ecosystems. With nearly a decade of experience, Gustaf has been actively involved in the Long-term Ecological Study, providing him with a detailed understanding of snow leopard ecology in this region.

Yanlin Liu has been working with different teams on the snow leopard assessment in Qilian Mountains. Yanlin is currently a Lecturer in the College of Life Sciences at Qinghai Normal University and consultant for the Chinese Felid Conservation Alliance. He previously served as the director of the snow leopard project for the ShanShui Conservation Center and a Post-Doc in the Chinese Academy of Forest.

Koustubh Sharma is the Science and Conservation Director at Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) and International Coordinator at The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP). With nearly 20 years of experience in ecological research, wildlife conservation and training, he helps build collaborations and coordinate alliances and at multiple levels for snow leopard research and conservation.

Date/Time

Thursday, August 31st, 2023 at 14:00pm Bishkek time

Location

ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE

Tost Mountains in Southern Mongolia in Feb 2020

Please note

If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session.