Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Distribution, Threats and Conservation of Snow Leopard Throughout the World

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Snow Leopards in Nepal

  • 269 Accesses

Abstract

In this introductory chapter, we present facts about snow leopard. We start with a general description of snow leopard, its ecology and typical habitats in Sect. 1.1. Details on snow leopard distribution in the world follow in Sect. 1.2. We then enumerate the main threats to this animal, which include conflicts with people, illegal trade and climate change in Sect. 1.3. The last part, Sect. 1.4, is devoted to possible ways of conserving this endangered species: changes in legislation, international cooperation, education and awareness and financial support for its conservation. The chapter is adapted from Valentová KA (2017) Abundance and threats to the survival of the snow leopard—a review. Eur. J. Environ. Sci. 7: 73–93.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aishwarya M, Sambandam S (2019) Snow leopard stewardship in mitigating human-wildlife conflict in Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India. Hum Dimensions Wildl 24:395–399. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2019.1610815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ale SB, Shrestha B, Jackson R (2014) On the status of snow leopard Panthera uncia (Schreber 1775) in Annapurna, Nepal. J Threat Taxa 6:5534–5543. https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3635.5534-43. ISSN 0974–7907

  • Alexander JS, Zhang C, Shi K, Riordan P (2016a) A spotlight on snow leopard conservation in China. Integr Zool 11:308–321. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander JS, Zhang C, Shi K, Riordan P (2016b) A granular view of a snow leopard population using camera traps in Central China. Biol Conserv 197:27–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Annenkov BP (1990) The snow leopard in the Dzungarsky Plateau. Int Pedigree Book Snow Leopards 6:21–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous (2017) Snow leopard. In: Snow leopard. Available from http://www.wwfnepal.org/what_we_do/wildlife/snow_leopard/. Accessed 18 Dec 2017

  • Aryal A, Brunton D, Ji W, Raubenheimer D (2014) Blue sheep in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal: habitat use, population biomass and their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopards. Integr Zool 9:34–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aryal A, Brunton D, Raubenheimer D (2013) Impact of climate change on human-wildlife-ecosystem interactions in the Trans-Himalaya region of Nepal. Theor Appl Climatol 115:517–529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-013-0902-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aryal A, Raubenheimer D, Ji W, Brunton D (2012) Blue sheep and snow leopard: prey population density, distribution and habitat use of a principal prey species determines the carrying capacity for the predator. Integr Zool 9:34–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azimov Zh (ed) (2009) The red book of the Republic of Uzbekistan, vol II. Animals Chinore-ENK, Tashkent

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagchi S, Mishra C (2006) Living with large carnivores: predation on livestock by the snow leopard (Uncia uncia). J Zool 268:217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker BB, Moseley RK (2007) Advancing treelines and retreating glaciers: implications for conservation in P.R. China. Arct Antarct Alp Res 39:200–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bannikov AG (1984) Red data book of the USSR. Lesnaya Promyshlenhost Publishers, Moscow (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaumont LJ, Pitman A, Perkins S, Zimmermann NE, Yoccoz NG, Thuiller W (2011) Impacts of climate change on the world’s most exceptional ecoregions. Proc Natl Acad Sci 108:2306–2311

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya A, Chatterjee N, Rawat GS, Habib B (2020) Blue sheep resource selection in alpine grasslands of a western Himalayan landscape—a point process approach. Zool Stud 59:11. https://doi.org/10.6620/ZS.2020.59-11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biocontrol of Uzbekistan (2014) Snow leopard in Uzbekistan. Econews. Available from http://econews.uz

  • Bold A, Dorzhunduy S (1976) Report on snow leopards in the southern spurs of the Gobi Altai. Proceedings of Institute of General and Experimental Biology, Ulaanbaatar, vol 11, pp 27–43 (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Braden KE (1982) The geographic distribution of snow leopards in the USSR: maps of areas of snow leopard habitation in the USSR. Int Pedigree Book Snow Leopards 3:25–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzzard PJ, MaMing R, Turghan M, Xiong J, Zhang T (2017a) Presence of the snow leopard Panthera uncia confirmed at four sites in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains. Oryx 51:594–596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buzzard PJ, Xueyon L, Bleisch WV (2017b) The status of snow leopards Panthera uncia, and high altitude use by common leopard P. pardus, in north-west Yunnan, China. Oryx 51:587–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bykova E, Grebot B, Kreuzberg-Mukhina E (2002) Assessment of the snow leopard in Central Asian region. Unpublished report

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapron G (2005) Re-wilding: other projects help carnivores stay wild. Nature 437:318

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chetri M, Odden M, Wegge P (2017) Snow leopard and Himalayan wolf: food habits and prey selection in the Central Himalayas, Nepal. PLoS ONE 12:e0170549. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170549 PMID: 28178279

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen M, Heilmann-Clausen J (2009) Forest biodiversity gradients and the human impact in Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Biodivers Conserv 18:2205–2221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chundawat RS, Rodgers WA, Panwar HS (1988) Status report on snow leopard in India. In: Freeman H (ed) Proceedings of the 5th international snow leopard symposium. International Snow Leopard Trust and Wildlife Institute of India, Seattle, Washington, pp 113–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Comiso JC (2003) Warming trends in the Arctic from clear sky satellite observations. J Clim 16:3498–3510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dexel B (2002) The illegal trade in snow leopards: a global perspective. German Society for Nature Conservation, Berlin, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong S, Lassoie J, Shrestha KK, Yan Z, Sharma K, Pariya D (2009) Institutional development for sustainable rangeland resource and ecosystem management in mountainous areas of northern Nepal. J Environ Manage 90:994–1003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forrest JL, Wikramanayake E, Shrestha R, Areendran G, Gyeltshen K, Maheshwari A, Mazumdar S, Naidoo R, Thapa GJ, Thapa G (2012) conservation and climate change: assessing the vulnerability of snow leopard habitat to treeline shift in the Himalaya. Biol Conserv 150:129–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox JL (1989) A review of the status and ecology of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia). A final report. International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox JL (1994) Snow leopard conservation in the wild—a comprehensive perspective on a low density and highly fragmented population. In: Fox JL, Jizeng D (eds) Proceedings of the 7th international snow leopard symposium (Xining, Qinghai, China, July 25–30, 1992). International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, Washington, pp 3–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox JL, Sinha SP, Chundawat RS, Das PK (1991) Status of the snow leopard Panthera uncia in North-west India. Biol Conserv 55:283–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaston KJ, Jackson SF, Cantu-Salazar L, Cruz-Pinon G (2008) The ecological performance of protected areas. Ann Rev Ecol Evol S 39:93–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green MJB (1988) Protected areas and snow leopards: their distribution and status. In: Freeman H (ed) Proceedings of the 5th international snow leopard symposium. International Snow Leopard Trust and Wildlife Institute of India, Seattle, Washington, pp 3–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Green MJB, Zhimbiev B (1997) Transboundary protected areas and snow leopard conservation. In: Jackson R, Ahmad A (eds) Proceedings of the 8th international snow leopard symposium, Islamabad, November 1995. International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle and WWF-Pakistan, Lahore, pp 194–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Habibi KH (1977) The mammals of Afghanistan: their distribution and status. UNDP/FAO, Department of Forests and Range, Ministry of Agriculture, Kabul

    Google Scholar 

  • Habibi KH (2004) Mammals of Afghanistan. Zoo Outreach Organisation/USFWS, Coimbatore, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Hannah L, Midgley GF, Millar D (2002) Climate change-integrated conservation strategies. Global Ecol Biogeogr 11:485–495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson JH, Schutgens M, Baral N (2018) What explains tourists’ support for snow leopard conservation in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal? Hum Dimens Wildl 24:31–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2019.1534293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heikkinen RK, Luoto M, Araújo MB, Virkkala R, Thuiller W, Sykes MT (2006) Methods and uncertainties in bioclimatic envelope modelling under climate change. Prog Phys Geog 30:1–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hemmer H (1972) Uncia uncia. Mamm Species 20:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horsfield T (1855) Brief notices of several new or little-known species of mammalia, lately discovered and collected in Nepal, by Brian Houghton Hodgson, Esq. Ann Mag Nat Hist. https://doi.org/10.1080/037454809495489

  • Hunter DO, Jackson R (1997) A range-wide model of potential snow leopard habitat. In: Jackson R, Ahmad A (eds) Proceedings of the 8th international snow leopard symposium, Islamabad. International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle and WWF-Pakistan, Lahore, pp 51–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussain S (2000) Protecting the snow leopard and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods: a pilot insurance scheme in Baltistan. Mt Res Dev 20:226–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hussain S (2003) The status of the snow leopard in Pakistan and its conflict with local farmers. Oryx 37:26–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ikeda N (2004) Economic impacts of livestock depredation by snow leopard Uncia uncia in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Nepal Himalaya. Environ Conserv 31:322–330. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892904001778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2001) Climate change 2001: synthesis report. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, pp 1–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R (1979) Snow leopards in Nepal. Oryx 2:191–195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Ahlborn G (1988) Observations on the ecology of snow leopard in west Nepal. In: Freeman H (ed) Proceedings of the 5th International snow leopard symposium, pp 65–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Ahlborn G (1989) Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in Nepal—home range and movements. Natl Geogr Res 5:161–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Ahlborn GG (1990) The role of protected areas in Nepal in maintaining viable populations of snow leopards. Int Pedigree Book Snow Leopards 6:51–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Fox JL (1997) Snow leopard and prey species workshop in Bhutan. Cat News 27:18–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Hillard D (1986) Tracking the elusive snow leopard. Nat Geo Mag 169:793–809

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Hillard D, Robinson J (from 2004 until now) Snow leopard Conservancy. Accessed 6 May 2016. Available from http://snowleopardconservancy.org/

  • Jackson R, Hunter DO (1996) Snow leopard survey and conservation handbook. Second edition. International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Mallon D, McCarthy T, Chundaway RA, Habib B (2008) Panthera uncia. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T22732A9381126.en

  • Jackson R, Roe JD, Wangchuk R, Hunter DO (2006) Estimating snow leopard population abundance using photography and capture-recapture techniques. Wildl Soc Bull 34:772–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Wang Z, Lu X, Chen Y (1994) Snow leopards in the Qomolangma Nature Preserve of the Tibet Autonomous region. In: Fox JL, Jizeng D (eds) Proceedings of the 7th international snow leopard symposium (Xining, Qinghai, China, July 25–30, 1992). International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, Washington, pp 85–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson R, Wangchuk P, Namgyal T, Kumar E (2000) Report on the second Bhutan SLIMS training workshop. Unpublished Report, International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson RM (1996) Home range, movements and habitat use of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in Nepal. PhD thesis, University of London, United Kingdom

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson RM (2015) HWC ten years later: successes and shortcomings of approaches to global snow leopard conservation. Hum Dimens Wildl 20:310–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janecka JE, Zhang Y, Li D et al (2017) Range-wide snow leopard phylogeography supports three subspecies. J Hered 108:597–607. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esx044

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnsingh AJT, Manjrekar N (eds) (2015) Mammals of South Asia. Universities Press, Hyderabad, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Jumabay-Uulu K, Wegge P, Mishra C, Sharma K (2014) Large carnivores and low diversity of optimal prey: a comparison of the diets of snow leopards Panthera uncia and wolves Canis lupus in Sarychat-Ertash Reserve in Kyrgyzstan. Oryx 48:529–535. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605313000306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kachel SM, McCarthy KP, McCarthy TM, Oshurmamadov N (2017) Investigating the potential impact of trophy hunting of wild ungulates on snow leopard Panthera uncia conservation in Tajikistan. Oryx 51:597–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kala CP, Singh SK, Rawat GS (2002) Effects of sheep and goat grazing on the species diversity in the alpine meadows of western Himalaya. Environmentalist 22:183–189. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015306405212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalashnikova YA, Karnaukhov AS, Dubinin MY, Poyarkov AD, Rozhnov VV (2019) Potential habitat of snow leopard (Panthera uncia, Felinae) in South Siberia and adjacent territories based on the maximum entropy distribution model. Zoologichesky Zhurnal 98:332–342. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0044513419030061

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karnaukhov AS, Malykh SV, Korablev MP, Kalashnikovaa M, Poyarkova AD, Rozhnova VV (2018) Current status of the Eastern Sayan snow leopard (Panthera uncia) grouping and its nutritive base. Biol Bull Russ Acad Sci 45:1106–1115. https://doi.org/10.1134/S106235901809008X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koshkarev E, Vyrypaev V (2000) The snow leopard after the break-up of the Soviet Union. Cat News 32:9–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Koshkarev EP (1989) The snow leopard in Kirgizia. Ilim Publishers, Frunze, Kirgizia, USSR (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koshkarev EP (1996) The snow leopard in its northeastern range. Cat News 25:10

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreuzberg-Mukhina E, Esipov A, Aromov B, Bykova E, Vashetko E (2002) Snow leopard and its protection in Uzbekistan. In: McCarthy TM, Weltzin J (eds) Contributed papers to the snow leopard survival strategy summit. International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, Washington, USA, pp 134–135. Available from http://www.snowleopard.org/sln/

  • Li J, Schaller GB, Mccarthy TM, Wang D, Jiagong Z, Cai P, Basang L, Lu Z (2013a) A communal sign post of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and other species on the Tibetan Plateau, China. Int J Biodivers 370905:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/370905

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Wang D, Yin H, Zhaxi D, Jiagong Z, Schaller GB, Mishra C, McCarthy TM, Wang H, Wu L, Xiao L, Basang L, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Lu Z (2013b) Role of Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries in snow leopard conservation. Conserv Biol 28:87–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liao Y (1994) Snow leopard distribution, purchase locations and conservation in Qinghai Province, China. In: Fox JL, Jizeng D (eds) Proceedings of the 7th international snow leopard symposium (Xining, Qinghai, China, July 25–30, 1992). International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, Washington, pp 65–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Li X, Liang X, Liu Y, Cheng C, Juan Li J et al. (2019) Where and how many? The status of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) density surveys and knowledge gaps in China. Biodiv Sci 27: 919–931. https://doi.org/10.17520/biods.2019027

  • Liu Z, Wang X, Li Z, Cui D, Li X (2007) Feeding habitats of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) during winter and spring in Helan Mountains, China. Front Biol China 2:100–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Locky H, Mackey B (2009) The nature of climate change: reunite international climate change mitigation efforts with biodiversity conservation and wilderness protection. Int J Wilderness 15:7–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Loginov O, Loginova I (2017) The snow leopard: the elusive ghost, but not yet lost, cat. A review of its conservation status in Siberia and Central Asia. Int J Environ Sci 74:903–914. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2017.1341721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu Q, Hu Q, Shi X, Jin S, Li S, Yao M (2019) Metabarcoding diet analysis of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province. Biodivers Sci 27:960–969

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyngdoh S, Shrotriya S, Goyal SP, Clements H, Hayward MW, Habib B (2014) Prey preferences of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia): regional diet specificity holds global significance for conservation. PLoS ONE 9:e88349. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0088349

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mallon DP, Bacha MS (1989) Ecology and management of the Hemis National Park. Report to the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir Government

    Google Scholar 

  • Mallon DP, Jackson RM (2017) A downlist is not a demotion: red list status and reality. Oryx 51:605–609

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy J, McCarthy KP, Fuller TK, McCarthy TM (2010) Assessing variation in wildlife biodiversity in the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan using ancillary camera-trap photos. Mt Res Dev 30:295–301. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-09-00080.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy JJ, Canziani OF, Leary NA, Dokken DJ, White KS (eds) (2001) Climate Change 2001: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy KP, Fuller TK, Ming M, McCarthy TM, Waits L (2008) Assessing estimators of snow leopard abundance. J Wildl Manage 72:1826–1833. https://doi.org/10.2193/2008-040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy T, Mallon D, Jackson R, Zahler P, McCarthy K (2017) Panthera uncia. The IUCN red list of threatened species. e.T22732A50664030. Accessed on 28 June 2021

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy T, Mallon D (eds) (2016) Snow leopards. In the series biodiversity of the world: conservation from genes to landscapes. In: Nyhus PJ (ed) Academic Press (imprint of Elsevier), London, San Diego, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy TM (2000) Ecology and conservation of snow leopards, Gobi brown bears and wild Bactrian camels in Mongolia. PhD dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy TM, Chapron G (2003) snow leopard survival strategy. International Snow Leopard Trust and Snow Leopard Network, Seattle, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy TM, Fuller TK, Munkhtsog B (2005) Movements and activities of snow leopards in Southwestern Mongolia. Biol Conserv 124:527–537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medvedev DG (2000) Morphological differences of the snow leopard from Southern Transbaikalia. Proc Irkutsk State Acad Agric 20:20–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra C (1997) Livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Indian Trans-Himalaya: conflict perceptions and conservation prospects. Environ Conserv 24:338–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra C, Allen P, McCarthy T, Madhusudan MD, Bayarjargal A, Prins HHT (2003) The role of incentive programs in conserving the snow leopard. Conserv Biol 17:1512–1520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra C, Wieren SEV, Ketner P, Heitkönig IMA, Prins HHT (2004) Competition between domestic livestock and wild bharal Pseudois nayaur in the Indian Trans-Himalaya. J Appl Ecol 41:344–354. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0021-8901.2004.00885.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muratov RS (2004) On the condition of the population of snow leopard in Tajikistan. In: Fauna of Tajikistan. Academy of Science, Dushanbe, pp 228–230 (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Namgail T, Fox JL, Bhatnagar YV (2007) Habitat shift and time budget of the Tibetan argali: the influence of livestock grazing. Ecol Res 22:25–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-006-0015-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Namgail T, Mishra C, de Jong CB, van Wieren SE, Prins HHT (2009) Effects of herbivore species richness on the niche dynamics and distribution of blue sheep in the Trans-Himalaya. Divers Distrib 15:940–947. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2009.00611.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noras S (2015a) Afghanistan. Snowleopardblog. Accessed 8 May 2016. Available from http://snowleopardblog.com/projects/afghanistan/

  • Noras S (2015b) Mongolia. Snowleopardblog. Accessed 8 May 2016. Available from http://snowleopardblog.com/projects/mongolia/

  • Nowell K, Li J, Paltsyn M, Sharma RK (2016) An ounce of prevention: snow leopard crime revisited. TRAFFIC, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Nowell K, Schipper J, Hoffmann M (2007) Re-evaluation of the Felidae of the 2008 IUCN Red List. Cat News 47:5

    Google Scholar 

  • Oli MK (1997) Winter home range of snow leopards in Nepal. Mammalia 61:355–360

    Google Scholar 

  • Oli MK, Taylor IR, Rogers ME (1993) Diet of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. J Zool 231:365–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oli MK, Taylor IR, Rogers ME (1994) Snow leopard Panthera uncia predation of livestock: an assessment of local perceptions in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Biol Conserv 68:63–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paltsyn MY, Spitsyn SV, Kuksin AN, Istomov SV (2012) Snow Leopard Conservation in Russia. WWF Altai-Sayan Ecoregional Office, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson RG, Dawson TP (2003) Predicting impacts of climate change on the distribution of species: are bioclimate envelope models useful? Glob Ecol Biogeogr 12:361–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petocz RG (1978) Report on the Afghan Pamir, Part I: exological reconnaissance. UNDP/FAO Project AFG/74/014. Field Document No. 6

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajput ASD (2009) Project to save snow leopard launched. Curr Sci 96:755–756

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger I (1984) Oestrous timing in ounces, Uncia uncia, Schreger (1775). Int Pedigree Book Snow Leopards 4:99–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts TJ (1977) The mammals of Pakistan. Ernest Benn, London and Tonbridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Rode J, Pelletier A, Fumey J, Rode S, Cabanat A, Ouvrard A et al (2020) Diachronic monitoring of snow leopards at Sarychat-Ertash State Reserve (Kyrgyzstan) through cat genotyping: a pilot study. BioRxiv 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1101/835025

  • Rovero F, Augugliaro C, Havmøller RW, Groff C, Zimmermann F, Oberosler V, Tenan S (2020) Co-occurrence of snow leopard Panthera uncia, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica and livestock: potential relationships and effects. Oryx 54:118–124. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605317001685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rozhnov VV, Zvychainaya EY, Kuksin AN, Poyarkova AD (2011) Noninvasive molecular genetic analysis in studying the ecology of the snow leopard: problems and prospects. Russ J Ecol 42:439–444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sathyakumar S, Bashir T, Bhattacharya T, Poudyal K (2011) Assessing mammal distribution and abundance in intricate eastern Himalayan habitats of Khangchendzonga, Sikkim, India. Mammalia 75:257–268. https://doi.org/10.1515/MAMM.2011.023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sayer JA (1980) The conservation of the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in Afghanistan. Int Pedigree Book Snow Leopards 2:55–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaller G (1977) Mountain Monarchs: Wild Sheep and Goats of the Himalaya. University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London. https://doi.org/10.2307/1379791

  • Schaller GB, Junrang R, Mingjiang Q (1988) Status of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in Qinghai and Gansu provinces, China. Biol Conserv 45:179–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(88)90138-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaller GB, Tserendeleg J, Amarsanaa G (1994) In: Fox JL, Jizeng D (eds) Proceedings of the 7th International Snow Leopard Symposium (Xining, Qinghai, China, July 25–30, 1992). International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, Washington, pp 33–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Schellhom M, Simmons D (2000) Kangchenjunga conservation area tourism plan 2001–2006 (draft). Unpublished report, Lincoln International (1995) Ltd, New Zealand, for His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and WWF Nepal Program, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreber JCD (1775) Felis uncia. Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur. Tafeln 100:1774–1855

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma E, Tsering K (2009) Climate change in the Himalayas: the vulnerability of biodiversity. Sustain Mount Develop 55:10–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Shehzad W, McCarthy TM, Pompanon F, Purevjav L, Coissac E, Riaz T et al (2012) Prey preference of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in South Gobi, Mongolia. PLoS ONE 7(1–8):e32104. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0032104.t004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha B, Aihartza J, Kindlmann P (2018) Diet and prey selection by snow leopards in the Nepalese Himalayas. PLoS ONE 13:e0206310. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206310

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha B, Vaidya B (2020) Integrating snow leopard and co-predators (common leopard, wolf and lynx) conservation with livelihood initiatives in Nepal. A progress report submitted by FONAREM to The Rufford Foundation, National Trust for Nature Conservation, Annapurna Conservation Area Project and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Available from https://www.rufford.org/files/28596-2%20Progress%20Report.pdf

  • Singh CP, Panigrahy S, Thapliyal A, Kimothi MM, Soni P, Parihar JS (2012) Monitoring the alpine treeline shift in parts of the Indian Himalayas using remote sensing. Curr Sci 102:559–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Smirnov MN, Sokolov GA, Zyryanov AN (1990) The snow leopard (Uncia uncia Schreber 1776) in Siberia. Int Pedigree Book Snow Leopards 6:9–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Snow Leopard Network (2014) Snow leopard survival strategy. Revised 2014, Snow Leopard Network, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Snow Leopard Working Secretariat (2013) Global snow leopard and ecosystem protection program. Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokov AI (1990) The present status of the Snow Leopard population in the south western Pamir-Altai Mountains (Tadzhikistan). Int Pedigree Book Snow Leopards 6:33–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Sopin LV (1977) The snow leopard in the Altai. In: Sokolov VE (ed) Rare species of mammals and their conservation. Materials of the 2nd All-Union Conference. Nauka, Moscow, pp 143–144 (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroganov SU (1962) Carnivorous mammals of Siberia, 1st, English. Israel Program Science, Jerusalem (Israel)

    Google Scholar 

  • Theile S (2003) Fading footprints: the killing and trade of snow leopards. TRAFFIC International, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas CD, Cameron A, Green RE, Bakkenes M, Beaumont LJ, Collingham YC et al (2004) Extinction risk from climate change. Nature 427:145–148

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thuiller W (2007) Climate change and ecologist. Nature 448:550–552

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vannelli K, Hampton MP, Namgail T, Black SA (2019) Community participation in ecotourism and its effect on local perceptions of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conservation. Hum Dimensions Wildl 24:180–193. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2019.1563929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WCNP and WWF (2016). Population status and distribution of snow leopards in Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Bhutan. Wangchuck Centennial National Park and World Wildlife Fund, Thimphu

    Google Scholar 

  • Wegge P (1979) Aspects of the population ecology of blue sheep in Nepal. J Asian Ecol 1:10–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Wegge P, Shrestha R, Flagstad Ø (2012) Snow leopard Panthera uncia predation on livestock and wild prey in a mountain valley in northern Nepal: implications for conservation management. Wildlife Biol 18:131–141. https://doi.org/10.2981/11-049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei L, Wu X, Jiang Z (2008) The complete mitochondrial genome structure of snow leopard Panthera uncia. Mol Biol Rep 36:871–878. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-008-9257-9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weiskopf SR, Kachel SM, McCarthy KP (2016) What are snow leopards really eating? Identifying bias in food habit studies. Wildlife Soc B 2016:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wingard JR, Zahler P (2006) Silent steppe: the illegal wildlife trade crisis in Mongolia. Mongolia Discussion Papers, East Asia and Pacific Environment and Social Development Department. Washington DC, World Bank

    Google Scholar 

  • WWF-Nepal (2009) Estimating snow leopard populations in the Nepal Himalaya. World Wildlife Fund-Nepal. Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu A, Jiang Z, Li C, Guo J, Da S, Cui Q, Yu S, Wu G (2008) Status and conservation of the snow leopard Panthera uncia in the Gouli Region, Kunlun Mountains, China. Oryx 42:460–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu J, Grumbine R, Shrestha A, Eriksson M, Yang X, Wang Y, Wilkes A (2009) The melting Himalayas: cascading effects of climate change on water, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Conserv Biol 23:520–530

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, He L, Duo H, Li D, Jin K (2009) A preliminary study on the population genetic structure of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) on Qinghai Province utilizing fecal DNA. Acta Theriol Sinica 29:310–315

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhirjakov VA (1990) On the ecology of snow leopard in the Zailisky-Alatau (northern Tien Shan). Int Pedigree Book Snow Leopards 6:25–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou X, Song J, Wang F (2014) The application of extracting DNA from noninvasive samples in feline species identification. Acta Theriol Sinica 34:138–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Zukowsky L (1950) Grossäuger, die Hagenbeck entdeckte. Zool Gart 17:211–221

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Charles University, Benátská 2, 12801, Prague, Czech Republic

    Kamila Anna Valentová, Bikram Shrestha & Pavel Kindlmann

  2. Department of Biodiversity Research, Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 4a, 603 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Bikram Shrestha, Maan B. Rokaya & Pavel Kindlmann

  3. Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Charles University, Benátská 2, 12801, Prague, Czech Republic

    Maan B. Rokaya

  4. Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic

    Maan B. Rokaya

Authors
  1. Kamila Anna Valentová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bikram Shrestha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maan B. Rokaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pavel Kindlmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamila Anna Valentová .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biodiversity Research, Global Change Research Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic

    Pavel Kindlmann

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Valentová, K.A., Shrestha, B., Rokaya, M.B., Kindlmann, P. (2022). Distribution, Threats and Conservation of Snow Leopard Throughout the World. In: Kindlmann, P. (eds) Snow Leopards in Nepal. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11355-0_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation