Factors Determining the Distribution and Status of the Snow Leopard Population (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Panthera uncia&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) in Western Mongolia

Lukarevskiy, V. S.; Dalannast, Munkhnast; Lukarevskiy, Svyatoslav V.; Damdin, Erdenechimeg

doi:10.11648/j.avs.20190706.12

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(2 reference statements)

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“…We observed a correlation between population density and marking activity: as the population density increased, the marking activity increased as well. The same results were recorded in the Jargalant Mountains in Mongolia (Lukarevskiy et al, 2019). In the Bashkel section of the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve, the marking activity was 10-12 scrapes/km, while in the Solomo-Sary-Echki section it was from 23 to 33 scrapes/km.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 80%

“…Determination of the age of traces of vital activity was necessary to estimate the frequency of visits to a certain site by snow leopards, as well as the freshness of excrement. As in other areas, such as Mongolia, the intensity of marking increases from the periphery to the center of the group's range (Lukarevskiy and Purevsuren, 2011;Lukarevskiy et al, 2019). Our field observations in the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve, and on some ranges in the Tien Shan showed that the snow leopard marks the territory only if there is a female present.…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 58%

“…The intensity of the marking of the territory is in direct correlation with the condition of the snow leopard population (Ahlborn and Jackson, 1988;Jackson and Hunter, 1996;Lukarevskiy et al, 2019). We believe that the intensity of marking (by scrapes) also indicates the degree of development of the spatialethological structure of the population, and that the scrapes indicate the claim of an individual leopard to a given territory.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…This demonstrates a rigid spatial ordering and conservatism of the marking system, and as a result, clusters of scrapes are formed. As a rule, a cluster of scrapes is formed when snow leopard makes its mark over the mark of another individual; it looks like soil loosened by numerous deep furrows (scrapes) taking an area of 2-10 m 2 (Lukarevskiy et al, 2019). Existence of such clusters is directly connected to snow leopard population density (Ahlborn and Jackson, 1988;Jackson and Hunter, 1996;Lukarevskiy et al, 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a rule, a cluster of scrapes is formed when snow leopard makes its mark over the mark of another individual; it looks like soil loosened by numerous deep furrows (scrapes) taking an area of 2-10 m 2 (Lukarevskiy et al, 2019). Existence of such clusters is directly connected to snow leopard population density (Ahlborn and Jackson, 1988;Jackson and Hunter, 1996;Lukarevskiy et al, 2019). As a characteristic of the density of the elements of marking behavior, we will use only such signs as a scrapes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The spatial structure of а snow leopard population (Panthera uncia, Felidae, Carnivora) in east Kyrgyzstan

Lukarevskiy¹,

Vereshchagin²,

Lukarevskiy³

2020

Ecol. Mont

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The distribution of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia uncia (Shreber, 1775) across its geographic range is associated exclusively with the mountain landscapes. The most important factor in maintaining the integrity and viability of a population is its structure.Our studies were conducted in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and covered most of the range of snow leopard in East Kyrgyzstan. Each territory was surveyed through series of routes. The main methods used in field research were: searching for traces of vital activity, conducting short trail surveys, and using the SLIMS (Snow Leopard Information Management System) technique.In order to study the spatial structure of the snow leopard population, we conducted individual DNA-based identification and GPS registration of bioassays collected from all individuals inhabiting this territory. Biological samples (tissue, fur, and excrement) were obtained following the protocols for collecting bioassays. A total of 146 samples (2 of wool, 2 of tissue, and 142 of excrement) were collected in nature in the Central Tien Shan Mts within Kyrgyzstan (in the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve, and in the area of the Kainar River).Snow leopard DNA was identified in 70 samples. A total of 21 individual snow leopards (8 females and 13 males) were identified. All females of a local population of the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve, with the exception of one, were directly related to each other. The same is true for most of males (11 of 13). Two females were accompanied by kittens. All females settled near the maternal site, while almost all males, which were born there, move away. There is a direct correlation between population density and marking activity.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 80%

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The spatial structure of а snow leopard population (Panthera uncia, Felidae, Carnivora) in east Kyrgyzstan

Lukarevskiy¹,

Vereshchagin²,

Lukarevskiy³

2020

Ecol. Mont

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Effects of free‐ranging livestock on occurrence and interspecific interactions of a mammalian community

Salvatori

Oberosler

Augugliaro

et al. 2022

Ecological Applications

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First spatially-explicit density estimate for a snow leopard population in the Altai Mountains

et al. 2021

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The snow leopard Panthera uncia is an elusive and globally-threatened apex predator occurring in the mountain ranges of central Asia. As with other large carnivores, gaps in data on its distribution and abundance still persist. Moreover, available density estimates are often based on inadequate sampling designs or analytical approaches. Here, we used camera trapping across a vast mountainous area (area of the sampling frame 850 km 2 ; analysed habitat extent 2600 km 2 ) and spatially-explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models to provide, to our knowledge, the first robust snow leopard population density estimate for the Altai Mountains. This region is considered one of the most important conservation areas for snow leopards, representing a vast portion of suitable habitat and a key ecological corridor. We also provide estimates of the scale parameter (σ) that reflects ranging behaviour (activity range) and baseline encounter probability, and investigated potential drivers of density and related parameters by assessing their associations with anthropogenic and environmental factors. Sampling yielded 9729 images of snow leopards corresponding to 224 independent detections that belonged to a minimum of 23 identified adult individuals. SECR analysis resulted in an overall density of 1.31 individuals/100 km 2 (1.15%-1.50 95% CI), which was positively correlated with terrain slope. This estimate falls within the midvalues of the range of density estimates for the species globally. We estimated significantly different activity range size for females and males (79 and 329 km 2 , respectively). Baseline encounter probability was negatively associated with anthropogenic activity. Our study contributes to on-going efforts to produce robust global estimates of population abundance for this top carnivore.

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Factors Determining the Distribution and Status of the Snow Leopard Population (<i>Panthera uncia</i>) in Western Mongolia

Cited by 6 publications

References 2 publications

The spatial structure of а snow leopard population (Panthera uncia, Felidae, Carnivora) in east Kyrgyzstan

The spatial structure of а snow leopard population (Panthera uncia, Felidae, Carnivora) in east Kyrgyzstan

Effects of free‐ranging livestock on occurrence and interspecific interactions of a mammalian community

First spatially-explicit density estimate for a snow leopard population in the Altai Mountains

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