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Population abundance and landscape
connectivity of snow leopards and the
implications for conservation
J. Janecka, B Munkhtsog, R. Jackson
Texas A&M University, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Irbis
Mongolia, Snow Leopard Conservancy,
Photo: Snow Leopard Conservancy
Snow Leopard
Distribution
What is the population size across
range?
Are they increasing or decreasing?
Traditional Snow Leopard Surveys
Monitor Snow Leopard Sign
Tracks Tracks
Scent
Rocks
Fresh Scrape
Urine
Scat
Photo: Snow Leopard Conservancy
Non-Target
Species/Failure
Samples of
Target Species
Landsat Image, South Gobi Non-invasive Techniques
Noninvasive Samples
Study Population
Samples of
Individuals
Minimum
Number
?
Temporal
Replicates
Population
Size Distribution
Population
Trends
100 km
Map of Scat
F11, M12,
F13, M14
M8,
F10, F11
M7, M8
M9, F11
Individual Snow Leopards Identified in the Tost Mountains of the Gobi Desert by Genetic Analysis Noninvasively Collected Scat
Gurvansaikhan National Park
Population Size Estimate
- N = 36 individuals (C.I. = 18 – 50, CAPWIRE maximum likelihood
estimator)
- Area surveyed = 556.9 km2 (mean maximum distance moved = 6.0 km)
- Density: 6.5 snow leopards/100 km2
Dalanzagdad
Snow leopard scats
MMDM buffer (6.0 km)
6 M
4 F
3 M
2 F
0 M
0 F
2 M
1 F
Abundance Correlates Across Mongolia
Area Transects Total Km
Scrapes/ km
SL scat/ km
SL #/ km
Easter Beauty 10 28.80 2.39 1.20 0.56
Middle Beauty 4 12.59 0.11 0.04 0.04
Western Beauty 10 25.46 7.24 1.10 0.52
Tost Uul 7 22.19 10.56 1.63 0.87
Noyon Uul 6 15.55 3.46 1.69 1.08
Arts Bogd 3 6.11 4.94 3.90 0.72
Baga Bogd 2 4.25 6.58 1.33 0.48
Tsagaan Shuvuut 3 5.30 17.26 7.07 1.62
Preliminary surveys in Tsagaan suggest highest densities
Purple dots represent documented snow leopard sign and approximates species distribution. Green circles represent sites sampled between 2006-09.
Tsagaan
Baga Bogd
Tost Uul
Arts Bogd
Noyon Uul
Gurvansaikhan National Park
Turgen
Altan Khokii
200 km
N
Jargalant
Highest Abundance
Lowest Abundance
Intermediate Abundance
Snow Leopard Abundance Assessed through Noninvasive Genetics Surveys
Survey site Snow Leopard sign previously observed
Purple dots represent documented snow leopard sign and approximates species distribution. Green circles represent sites sampled between 2006-09.
200 km
N
Estimates of Landscape Level Connectivity using Genetics
Survey site Snow Leopard sign previously observed
Less Landscape connectivity Mean Fst = 0.098
More Landscape connectivity Mean Fst = 0.069
Altai
Gobi
Greatest Difference between Altai and Gobi Fst = 0.130
Training and Capacity Building for Genetic Analysis
Acknowledgements COLLABORATORS:
Ghalum Mohammad
Mohammad Bilai
Shafqat Hussain
Sonam Wang
Tshewang Wangchuck
William Murphy
Scott Mills
Nicole Samsel
Zhang Yu-quang
Li Di-qiang
Tom McCarthy
Misha Paltsyn
WWF-Mongolia
Funding and Logistical Support Provided by:
Snow Leopard Conservancy
Snow Leopard Conservation Grants Program
Irbis Mongolia
Mongolian Academy of Sciences National Science Foundation
National Geographic Society
Texas A&M University
Duo
Joyce Robinson
Jigmet Dadul
Ma
Rinchen Wangchuk
Shaarav
Tashi Thundup
Tungalag
Assistance Provided by:
Adilbish
Ali Wilkerson
Baatar
Boldbaatar
Brian Davis
Colleen Fisher
Darla Hillard
Dorj
Nadia Mijiddorj
Photo: Snow Leopard Conservancy