Snow Leopard Trust | Justine Shanti Alexander | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Snow leopards are an elusive species found in Central Asia, and their conservation is crucial. The Snow Leopard Trust has been working in Mongolia since 2008 to understand their ecology, assess threats, and engage local communities to protect the species.

Transcript

JUSTINE ALEXANDER: Thank you, everyone. It's really an honor to be here and share a little bit. So I'll try to share about all of our work throughout the region. But I'm going to focus on one area we work is in Mongolia, because we do all of our-- the type of work we do everywhere, we do it all there. And then it gives you a sense of space. And hop... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏂 Snow leopards have a wide range across 12 different countries in Central Asia, with China being the most significant for snow leopard conservation due to holding approximately 50% of the population.
• 🧡 Collaring and camera trapping have provided valuable data on snow leopard behavior, home ranges, hunting patterns, and interactions between individuals.
• ❓ Conservation efforts prioritize engagement with local communities, promoting sustainable practices, and addressing threats like poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and mining.
• 🧡 Collaboration with governments and organizations across the range is essential to safeguard the species and ensure effective conservation strategies.

Questions & Answers

Q: How many snow leopards are estimated to live in Mongolia?

While estimates vary, it is believed that there are around 500 to 1,000 snow leopards in Mongolia.

Q: What are the main threats to snow leopards in Mongolia?

The main threats to snow leopards in Mongolia include poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and mining activities, particularly in the south Gobi region.

Q: How do snow leopards interact with local communities in Mongolia?

Snow leopards have coexisted with people in Central Asia for centuries. Conservation efforts aim to promote coexistence by supporting local communities in reducing livestock losses through measures such as predator-proof corrals, livestock insurance programs, and engaging women in handicraft schemes.

Q: How do snow leopards hunt and what do they eat?

Snow leopards primarily hunt and prey on wild ungulates such as ibex and blue sheep. Through collaring and camera traps, it has been observed that snow leopards spend around 40% of their time on kills, while the rest of the time is spent conserving energy through resting and sleeping.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Snow leopards are elusive and live at high altitudes, making it difficult to determine their population size, with estimates ranging from 500 to 1,000 individuals in Mongolia.

• The Snow Leopard Trust has been collaring and studying snow leopards in Mongolia since 2008, revealing insights such as their large home ranges, low population densities, and hunting patterns.

• Conservation efforts in Mongolia focus on addressing threats like poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and mining, while also involving local communities in sustainable practices and coexistence with the species.