WWF summarizes research on the potential snow leopard habitat in the northeastern part of South-Chu Ridge and Southern Ridge Chikhacheva (Altai Republic), performed by members of the Altai Nature Reserve with the support of WWF in the monitoring program
In Russian: http://wwf.ru/news/article/8806
http://www.care2.com/news/member/100041282/2991493
20 October 2011
Three snow leopards snapped in a single capture in Khunjerab National Park
Snow leopards are so cryptic in nature and reside in one of the harshest and inaccessible milieus of our planet that encountering with snow leopard in the wild is like a dream. This elusive nature of snow leopard led one of the eminent wildlife biologists of the world to attribute this as “Imperiled Phantom”.
A total of 643 photographs including a group of 3 snow leopards (probably 2 sub adults with a mother) were photographed during an intensive camera trapping session of 560 nights in KNP during Nov-Dec. 2010, conducted by the Snow Leopard Foundation, Pakistan in collaboration with the Directorate of KNP and Gilgit-Baltistan Forest and Wildlife Department. The cameras captured many other wild species as well.
The Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserve viable populations of snow leopards and other wild carnivores as an integral part of landscapes across Pakistan, while improving the socio-economic condition of the people who share the fragile mountain ecosystem with the wildlife. The SLF works in partnership with the Snow Leopard Trust and Panthera, the two leading international wild cat conservation organizations, and operates in three core sectors: research and monitoring, community based conservation programs, and conservation education and awareness. It has
pioneered state-of-the-art research tools in Pakistan and operating in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khybger Pakhtunkhaw, and Azad Jamu and Kashmir.
The current study was undertaken in KNP from November, 23 to December 31, 2010 and was aimed at assessing the status of snow leopard as well as other carnivores, their key prey species, and human-carnivore conflict. The study also tested affect of different kinds of baits on camera trapping success.
In addition to camera trapping, more than 1400 km² area was scanned during occupancy surveys and 150 fecal samples were collected for genetic analysis. The study provided a rare learning opportunity to the staff of the Wildlife Department, and students from national and international universities, who were engaged. Once data analysis is completed, the study will provide more reliable estimates of snow leopard in the park besides highlighting existing management/monitoring limitations and ultimately help better manage the park resources in the longer run.
Panthera provided financial support for this study.
2010-12-29 11:10:00
Shimla, Dec 29 (IANS) The third eye is monitoring the movement of the highly endangered, elusive snow leopard in the cold deserts of Himachal Pradesh. And one of the camera traps has thrown up useful footage – of a pack of dogs attacking and injuring a snow leopard.
With just about 750 snow leopards left in India, the Himachal Pradesh government is using cameras to monitor their movement in Spiti Valley, the state’s northernmost part, running parallel to the Tibetan border.
The state’s wildlife department, in coordination with Mysore-based non-governmental organisation Nature Conservation Foundation, has installed 20 camera traps (automatic cameras) in Spiti Valley.
One of the cameras captured shots of a pack of dogs attacking a snow leopard. The dogs were abandoned by the pastoral communities that migrate from alpine pastures in summer along with their livestock, chief wildlife warden A.K. Gulati told IANS.
‘From this video clip, we came to know that abandoned dogs are also a potential threat to the wild cat. However, in this case, the snow leopard managed to escape with minor injuries on its hind legs,’ Gulati said.
According to wildlife experts, the rise in the population of abandoned dogs might pose a threat to the snow leopards’ food chain.
‘The dogs usually attack in a pack and it’s easy for them to hunt even big mammals like the Himalayan blue sheep. This might reduce the prey base of the wild cat,’ an expert said.
The snow leopard, a graceful golden-eyed animal with thick fur, padded paws and a long tail, is found in rocky regions at an altitude from 2,700 to 6,000 metres (8,900 ft to 20,000 ft). Himachal has adopted it as its state animal.
Not only is the animal extremely elusive but its cold, inhospitable habitat means very little is known about it. Hence the need for technology.
‘Initially, 20 cameras have been installed in a 100 sq km area of Spiti to monitor the movement and behaviour of the snow leopards,’ Gulati told IANS.
Each camera costs around Rs.250,000 and is equipped with a sensor that shoots any movement of any animal in its vicinity. Each camera has a battery backup of 25 days.
‘Placing a camera is really a herculean task. One has to trudge miles of rugged, cold and inhospitable Himalayan terrain. We have to restrict even the movement of the humans as it might develop fear psychosis in the animal or spoil their habitat,’ he said.
The footages also captured some other animals like the Himalayan blue sheep and Asiatic ibex – a wild goat species. Both are important prey for the snow leopard.
He said footage indicated the presence of around 10 snow leopards, but nothing conclusive could be said in the study’s early stages.
‘Right now, we are not in a position to comment on the exact population of the wild cats in Spiti. But we can only say the area supports an impressive population,’ he said.
Apart from Spiti Valley, the wildlife wing also plans to install 20 camera traps in the Pin Valley National Park, the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, the Great Himalayan National Park and the Pangi and Bharmour areas of Chamba district, which has a sizeable population of the snow leopard.
Gulati said under the Project Snow Leopard, the state had sent a proposal to the central government to set up a snow leopard research institute in Spiti at a cost of Rs.5.5 crore. He said a major portion of the amount would be spent on improving the habitat of the animal.
The Himachal project is part of the central government’s Project Snow Leopard that was launched Jan 20, 2009, as part of efforts to conserve the globally endangered species.
The government had estimated the number of these wild cats to be around 750, but this is the first time an extensive study is being carried out to substantiate the figure.
The project is also operational in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh with support from the Wildlife Institute of India and the Nature Conservation Foundation.
(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
http://www.sify.com/news/cameras-keep-eye-on-snow-leopards-in-spiti-valley-news-national-km3lkmjjege.html
A joint project between Nordens Ark and Hasselblad Foundation topics of conservation in the wild, rearing ex situ and reintroduction of threatened Felid species
Financed by the Hasselblad Foundation
Organized by Claes Andrén, Leif Blomqvist
and Lena M Lindén (Nordens Ark)
Conservation Biology at Nordens Ark 2010
A research school, October 3-8, aimed at postgraduate training in topics of conservation in the wild, rearing ex situ and reintroduction
of threatened Felid species
(Updated May 24)
The school is centred around the Foundation Nordens Ark at the Åby Fiord in mid Bohuslän on the Swedish west coast. The school will combine seminar series of both theoretical and practical character. These will be carried out by teachers, both with a more traditional academic status, and persons with the genuine knowledge of animal husbandry, rearing in captivity, and re-introduction in the field.
Organizers: Claes Andrén, Leif Blomqvist and Lena M Lindén
The course will be in English and is mending for 15 Ph.D. students. We would also very much appreciate if the speakers are prepared to stay over night the day they have their talk, allowing the students to discuss their subjects under more relaxed forms in the evening.
Preliminary program (some presentations not yet confirmed)
Sunday 3. October
Arrival of students /registration, reception open to 10.00 pm. Possibility to have light evening meal /PUB
Monday 4. October
General aspects of felid conservation
1. Conservation status of wild felids
Urs and Christine Breitenmoser, Co-chairs, IUCN Cat Specialst Group
urs.breitenmoser@ivy.unibe.ch
ch.breitenmoser@kora.ch
2. Jointly managed ex situ populations of felids in EAZA
Alex Sliwa, EAZA Felid Chair, Cologne Zoo
sliwa@koelnerzoo.de
3. How can zoos and museums contribute to felid conservation?
Alex Sliwa, EAZA Felid Chair, Cologne Zoo
sliwa@koelnerzoo.de
Andrew Kitchener, Royal Museum of Scotland
a.kitchener@nms.ac.uk
4. The EAZA European Carnivore Campaign
Lesley Dickie, EAZA Executive director
Lesley.dickie@eaza.net
Tuesday 5. October
In focus: The Lynx
1. Status of the Eurasian lynx in continental Europe
Urs and Christine Breitenmoser, Co-chairs, IUCN Cat Specialist Group
urs.breitenmoser@ivy.unibe.ch
ch.breitenmoser@kora.ch
2. Reintroduction and restocking attempts of Eurasian lynx in continental Europe
Urs and Christine Breitenmoser, Co-chairs, IUCN Cat Specialist Group
urs.breitenmoser@ivy.unibe.ch
ch.breitenmoser@kora.ch
3. Lynx reintroduction in Kampinos Natural Park, Poland
Jan Danylow, Kampinos Natural Park
danylow@kampinoski-pn.gov.pl
4. Lynx reintroduction and restocking attempts in Telshiai forestry, Lituania
Linas Balciauskas, University of Vilnius
5. Action plan for the conservation of Eurasian lynx in Sweden
Henrik Andrén, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö
henrik.andren@ekol.slu.se
6. The Iberian lynx conservation breeding program
Astrid Vargas, Centro de Cria Iberíco el Acebuche
Astrid.vargas@hotmail.com
7. In situ conservation of the Iberian lynx
Miguel Angel Simón, Junta de Andalucia
Wednesday 6. October
In focus: The wild cat Felis silvestris
1. Conservation and reintroduction of the European wild cat in Germany
Marianne Hartmann, University of Zürich
mhart@access.uhz.ch
2. Genetics of the wild cat
Beatrice Nussberger, University of Zürich
wildkatzen@gmx.ch
3. Status and conservation of the Scottish wildcat
Andrew Kitchener, Royal Museum of Scotland
a.kitchener@nms.ac.uk
Thursday 7. October
In focus: The snow leopard
1. Genetic and demographic management of conservation breeding programs oriented towards reintroduction
Kristin Leus, CBSG Europe, Antwerp Zoo
kristin@cbsgeurope.eu
2. Snow leopard conservation management plan in Mongolia
Örjan Johansson, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö
Orjan.johansson@ekol.slu.se
3. Snow leopard conservation and the Snow Leopard Trust
Authors to be announced
Friday 8. October
In Focus: Large cats in the Russian Far East
1. Preparation for reintroduction of Amur leopards in the Russian Far East
Sarah Christie, Zoological Society of London
sarah.christie@zsl.org
2. The role of zoos in Amur leopard conservaation
Sarah Christie, Zoological Society of London
sarah.christie@zsl.org
3. Methods used to count tigers and leopards in the Russian Far East
Linda Kerley, Lazo Zapovednik , Zoological Society of London
kerley_linda@yahoo.com
4. Survival rates and causes of mortality of Amur tigers in the Russian Far East.
Linda Kerley, Lazo Zapovednik , Zoological Society of London
kerley_linda@yahoo.com
