Final Announcement, October 13, 2011
SNOW LEOPARD (Panthera uncia) CONSERVATION EXCHANGE MEETING
Ulaanbaatar and Tost Uul, Mongolia
October 17-23, 2011
Background
The global snow leopard effective population size is suspected to be fewer than 2,500 (50% of the total population, or 2,040-3,295). The
species is listed as Endangered (IUCN Red List accessed 18 February 2011).
The Snow Leopard is restricted to the high mountains of Central Asia, with core areas including the Altai, Tian Shan, Kun Lun, Pamir,
Hindu Kush, Karakorum and Himalayan ranges (McCarthy et al. 2003). Ecological regions were defined in a workshop as Altai-Sayan, TransAltai Alashan Gobi, Tian Shan, Pamir, Hindu-Kush, Karakorum, Himalayas, Hengduan Mountains, and Tibetan Plateau (Williams 2008). Based
on elevational analysis, Hunter and Jackson (1997) estimated potential range at over 3 million km, with much of this in Mongolia and the Tibetan
plateau of China, although it is unclear to what extent snow leopards use much of the flatter parts of the plateau (R. Jackson pers. comm. 2008).
There was evidence of snow leopard occupation in 1.83 million km, and only about 550,000 km was considered to be good habitat (Hunter and
Jackson 1997, McCarthy et al. 2003). Williams (2006) used historical data to improve mapping of potential range, but there remains a significant
lack of information about current snow leopard status across much of its known and potential distribution.
Major threats to the Snow Leopard include illegal trade, and conflict with local people due to prey base depletion and/or habitat overlap of
prey base with domestic animal, and lack of conservation capacity, policy and awareness. Conflict with local communities over livestock
depredation is amongst the most important threats to the species’ range. The inherently low wild ungulate density in the snow leopard’s range,
owing to relatively low primary productivity, is further exacerbated by prey declines due to hunting for meat and competition with livestock.
Number of conservation organisations is dealing with snow leopard conservation throughout range countries. The leading organisations
among them are:
Snow Leopard Trust (ISL) founded in 1981 is implementing long-term Conservation Programme in 5 of the 12 Inner Asian range countries:
China, India, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan. The programme encompasses wide range activities from science and monitoring to community
based conservation activities http://www.snowleopard.org
Snow leopard conservancy (SLC) under the leadership of Dr. Rodney Jackson is working currently in 5 range countries; India, Mongolia,
Russia, Tajikistan, Nepal and Pakistan. Previous projects have been undertaken in China (including Tibet) and Bhutan.
SLC’s conservation approach is empowering local communities and people to become effective stewards for the snow leopard, its prey and
habitat. http://www.snowleopardconservancy.org
Panthera’s Snow Leopard Program, led by Dr. Tom McCarthy, is implementing multiple approaches to advancing conservation of this species
across its range. Applying results from scientific investigation, Panthera drives national conservation policy in snow leopard countries, creating
regional and country-specific action plans with local governments to impact snow leopard conservation at the highest possible levels. Working
with partners at every level, Panthera’s snow leopard program addresses direct threats to snow leopard populations across their range resulting
from the increasingly shrinking habitat and the rise in human-wildlife conflict. http://www.panthera.org/programs/snow-leopard/snow-leopardprogram
The Snow leopard is WWF’s one of flagship species with global priority. WWF is implementing wide range activities though its network of
National organisations (India, Russia, and Pakistan), and Programme offices (Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, and China) in almost of whole range
countries (except Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). As an example, WWF is working to protect the Eastern Himalayan landscape so as
to provide large, connected areas in which the leopards can live, hunt and breed. WWF is working with TRAFFIC (the wildlife trade monitoring
network) to help prevent trade in the snow leopard and its body parts. WWF is also working with communities to help manage the conflict
between snow leopards and humans. WWF provides assistance in constructing predator-proof livestock fences and we have also helped set up
community-managed compensation mechanisms for farmers who loose livestock from snow leopard predation. WWF with its local presence in
most of range countries of Snow leopard has great opportunity for delivering solid results for Snow leopard conservation.
Some information about Mongolian organizations dealing with the SL research and conservation will be added here
Without depending, in which countries we are working frequently asked questions by different stakeholders are:

How many Snow leopards do we have in the world, in the country and in certain areas and how we can monitor the population trends in a
cost effective and reliable way?

What are the most effective tools for solving conflicts between human and snow leopard?

How can benefit the local people from snow leopard conservation without killing them?
The objective and agenda of the meeting
The aim of the meeting is to share the participants best knowledge and experiences in own country/regions on above mentioned questions and a
compilation of best management practices case studies from all the presentations. One and half days meeting will be held in Puma Imperial
Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia followed by a field trip to the snow leopard research station in Tost Uul, South Gobi province.
Agenda:
Official language: English
Day 1 (17th October, 2011)
8:30-9:00 Registration (in Puma Imperial Hotel, see attached map 1)
Morning session:
9:00-9:10 Opening remarks and introduction of participants by Mr. B.Chimed-Ochir, WWF Mongolia
9:10-9:20 Welcome speech by Mr. D.Batbold, International Cooperation Division, MNET
Plenary on Snow leopard population estimates and monitoring methodology facilitated by Dr. Rodney Jackson, SLC
9:20-9:50 Key note speech by Dr. Tom McCarthy, Panthera
Presentations by countries/regions: each 20 minutes
9:50-10:10 Eastern Himalaya (Nepal, Bhutan and China)
10:10-10:30 Karakorum and Hindu Kush (India and Pakistan)
10:30-10:50 Central Asian Mountains (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan)
10:50-11:10 Altai-Sayan (Russia and Mongolia)
11:10-11:30 Tea/Coffee break
11:30-11:50 South Gobi (Mongolia)
11:50-12:50 Panel discussion with presenters, facilitated by Dr. Tom McCarthy, Panthera
12:50-13:00 Conclusion and Remarks by Dr. Rodney Jackson, SLC
13:00-14:30 Lunch
Afternoon session:
Plenary on conflict resolution and benefits to local people through non-consumptive usages facilitated by Dr. Tom McCarthy, Panthera
14:30-15:00 Key note speech by Dr. Rodney Jackson, SLC
Presentation by countries/regions: each for 20 minutes
15:00-15:20 Eastern Himalaya (Nepal, Bhutan and China)
15:20-15:40 Karakorum and Hindu Kush (India and Pakistan)
15:40-16:00 Central Asian Mountains (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan)
16:00- 16:20 Altai-Sayan (Russia and Mongolia)
16:20-16:40 Tea/Coffee break
16:40-17:00 South Gobi (Mongolia)
17:00-18:00 Panel discussion with presenters facilitated by Dr. Rodney Jackson, SLC
18:00-18:10 Conclusion and Remarks by Dr. Rodney Jackson, SLC
18:10-19:00 Free hour (side meetings if necessary)
19:00-21:00 Dinner
Day 2, (18th October, 2011)
9:00-9:15 Summary of the 1st day activities and introduction to the 2nd day activities by Dr. B.Lkhagvasuren, WWF Mongolia
9:15-9:20 Division of participants for 2 working groups
9:20-11:30 Working group 1. Discussion on and recommendations for the Snow leopard population estimates and monitoring methodologies
(group leader Dr. Tom McCarthy, Panthera)
Working group 2. Discussion on and recommendations for conflict resolution and benefits to local people through non-consumptive usages
(group leader Dr. Rodney Jackson, SLC)
11:30-11:45 Tea/Coffee break
11:45-12:15 Presentations of results on discussions and recommendations for best monitoring methodologies from the all presentations (working
group 1 by Dr. Tom McCarthy, Panthera).
12:15-12:45 Presentations of results on discussions and recommendations for best management practices on conflict resolutions and benefit to
local people (working group 2 by Dr. Rodney Jackson, SLC)
12:45-13:00 Closing remarks by representatives from MNET, WWF Mongolia, SLC and Panthera*.
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-14:15 Gathering in front of Puma Imperial Hotel to load the cars** for the field trip
14:15 Start the field trip and overnight on the way in Arvaikheer city, Uverkhangai province (around 430 km driving, hotel rooms will be
booked)
Day 3 (19th October, 2011): Visit to Horse Monument Complex and continuation of a trip (around 500 km driving by country road) and arrival
to research camp in Tost Uul, South Gobi Camp around evening and rest
Day 4 – 5 (20th & 21st October, 2011): Experience sharing on monitoring of the snow leopard and discussion with local communities and
people about compensation scheme and enterprise activities
Day 6-7 (22nd & 23rd October, 2011): Return trip to UB with overnight in Arvaikheer city, Uverkhangai province on the way (hotel rooms will
be booked)
Day 8: (24th October, 2011) Departure of international participants
* Outputs of the meeting – recommendations for the best monitoring methods and management practices will be compiled by WWF MPO after
the meeting and will be distributed for comments and editing to SL experts. The final compiled brochure/report will be distributed through
internet to all stakeholders.
** Cars will be provided by WWF MPO
Snow leopard conservation exchange meeting
Date: 17th – 23rd October, 2011
Place: Ulaanbaatar and Tost Uul Mountain field site – Mongolia
List of invited participants
1
Organization
WWF Russia – Altai Sayan
Name
Mikhail Paltsyn
Email address
Mpaltsyn@wwf.ru
2
WWF Mongolia – Altai Sayan
Chimed-Ochir B., Lkhagvasuren B.,
Onon Yo., Chimeddorj B.,
Munkhtogtokh O.
3
4
5
6
7
8
WWF Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan
WWF Nepal
WWF India
WWF Bhutan
WWF China
Snow Leopard Conservancy
Victor Lukarevskii ???
Ghana Gurung
Aishwarya Maheshwari
Vijay Moktan
John Farrington
Rodney Jackson
chimed@wwf.mn
lkhagvasuren@wwf.mn
onon@wwf.mn
chimeddorj@wwf.mn
vlukarevsky@mail.ru
ghana.gurung@wwfnepal.org
amaheshwari@wwfindia.net
vmoktan@wwfbhutan.org.bt
doeage@gmail.com
rodjackson@mountain.org
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Panthera Foundation
Texas A&M University
Irvis Mongolia & IoB, MAS
IoB, MAS
IoB, MAS
IoB, MAS
Snow leopard conservation Fund Mongolia
Tom McCarthy
Jan Janecka
Munkhtsog B.
Adiya Yan.
Naranbaatar G.
Ellen Cheng
Purevjav
tmccarthy@panthera.org
Jjanecka@cvm.tamu.edu
isltmon@magicnet.mn
Ya_adiya@yahoo.com
narka_06@yahoo.com
ellenmonster@yahoo.com
Purevjav@snowleopard.org
16
17
Snow leopard conservation Fund Mongolia
Snow leopard conservation Fund Mongolia
Lkhagvasumberel
Bayarjargal A.
Sumbee@snowleopard.org
Bayarjargal@snowleopard.org
18
19
20
21
22
Snow leopard conservation Fund Mongolia
Biosphere, Mongolia
MNET
MNET
MNET
Enkhtuvshin
Amarsanaa G.
Batbold D.
Dorjgotov B.
Tsogtsaikhan P.
Enkhtuvshin@snowleopard.org
Mon_biosphere@yahoo.com
dbatbold@mne.gov.mn
Bdorjgotov2002@yahoo.com
tsojopurev@yahoo.com
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Uvs Lake Basin SPA, Mongolia
RepresentativeTost Uul, Southgobi province, Mongolia
Natural History Museum, Mongolia
US Department of theTreasury
USAID
USAID
USAID
US Embassy
Uvs – Gulzat Initiative
Buyantsog B.
buyantsog_uvs2001@yahoo.com
Javzmaa N.
P. O’Connel
C. Howel
Mendsaikhan Kh.
McFarland A.
Rassel S.
Ganbold B.
njavzmaa@yahoo.com
poconnell@otatreas.us
chowell@usaid.gov
RussellSA@state.gov