IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Habib, B.; Khan, J.A.; Chundawat, R.S.; McCarthy, T.M. | |
| Status of Snow Leopard in Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan - an Assessment after 30 Years | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
The endangered snow leopard (_Panthera uncia_) is known to occur in areas of Hindu Kush range in Northeast Afghanistan including Afghan Pamir ranges in Wakhan Corridor. Information pertaining to the current status of snow leopard has been lacking due to three decades of civil conflict in Afghanistan. We conducted baseline surveys in 11 valleys of the proposed Big Pamir Wildlife Reserve (PBPWR) using standard SLIM formats from 10th August to 22nd September 2006 as part of Afghanistan Biodiversity Project. Presence of snow leopard was confirmed in almost all surveyed valleys during the study. The density of snow leopard signs was estimated to be 3.69 signs/km for the proposed wildlife reserve. Based on the estimates the snow leopard density could be 1-2 animals/100 km2. Interviews conducted with the Wakhis, local pastoral community, has indicated depredation of livestock (goats, sheep and yak etc.) during the winter season and also reported events of surplus killing by snow leopard. Mitigation of conflict is one of the most important aspects to be dealt with for the conservation of the snow leopard in the Wakhan Corridor, as loss of live stock has serious implications for local communities having very low income sources. |
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