IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| McCarthy, T.; Khan, J.; Ud-Din, J. | |
| A Study of Snow Leopard in Chitral Gol National Pak [Park], Pakistan using GPS-satellite Collars and Camera Traps | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Snow leopards (_Uncia uncia_) are one of the least understood and most difficult of the large cats to study. Only two long-term ecological studies of the species have been undertaken and those used ground-based telemetry of VHF radio-collared cats in Nepal (1980s) and Mongolia (1990s). In both studies serious logistical challenges contributed to small data sets and equivocal findings. In 2006 we began collaring snow leopards in Chitral Gol National Park, Pakistan, using GPS-Argos collars. Simultaneously we initiated camera-trapping within the park to monitor all large carnivores. Initial data indicate snow leopards captured within the park frequently travel far outside the protected area (>12 km) to low elevation sites of high human density to hunt and even rear cubs. Home-ranges exceed 50 km2. Camera capture rates (0.0035/trap-day) indicate low leopard density amid a mix of carnivores (wolves, jackal, leopard cat and fox). Video footage of collared and un-collared leopard behaviour suggests no impact on markhor hunting success (video to be shown). Background radio "noise" across central Asia has seriously impacted this and other researcher's use of Argos collars and we discuss the ramifications on this study and steps taken to ameliorate the problem. |
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