Snow Leopards of the Altai | Adam Oswell

For centuries, humans have coexisted with wildlife practicing nomadic or semi- nomadic pastoralism, herding sheep and goat flocks, cattle, horses, yaks, and camels. Mongolia is the world’s leading pastoral nation, with rangelands covering 83% of the country’s 1.29 million km2. Thanks in large measure to the low and sparsely distributed human population and their relative economic isolation, Mongolia and Tibet represent the last stronghold in Central Asia for many species of ungulates and carnivores considered rare, endangered, or declining elsewhere in their ranges, including the snow leopard, perhaps the world’s most elusive and charismatic big cat. With an estimated total wild population of 4,500 individuals, snow leopards inhabit mountainous rangelands at elevations of 3,000 to over 5,000 m in the Himalayan and Tibetan Plateau, but as low as 600 m in Russia and Mongolia. This species’ habitat is among the least productive of the world’s rangelands due to low temperatures, high aridity, extreme seasonal conditions, and a harsh climate. Consequently, prey population densities are relatively low.

Often referred to as the ghost cat, the snow leopard is now as endangered as the tiger with perhaps only 4,500 of these elusive big cats now surviving in the wild. With over 3 million years of evolution behind them, snow leopards represent one of the most secretive and efficient predators on the planet. With massive shoulders and a huge tail for counterbalance, they can bring down prey three times their own weight in the most extreme mountain environments on earth.

BAYAN ULGII PROVINCE, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: The primordial landscape of the Altai mountains represents one of the last viable refuges for the endangered snow leopard and many other indigenous species of central Asia.
CHIGERTEI NATIONAL PARK, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: The spectacular colours of a central Asian sunset looking west over Chigertei National Park on the Mongolian/Chinese border. Chigertei national park is habitat for snow leopards, wolverine, grey wolves, pallas cats, lammergeier, golden eagles and many other central Asian species.
ALTAI MOUNTAINS, CHINESE RUSSIAN BORDER, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Permafrost distorts the primordial landscape of the Altai mountains. The western Altai of Central Asia represents one of the last viable refuges for many species including wolverine, argali, Siberian ibex and the endangered snow leopard.
The Gobi desert is home to the beautiful Mongolian Khulan, Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus hemionus). Now endangered due to hunting, habitat degradation and competition for resources from domestic livestock. Usually found in pairs, they hold their heads high when running and move in perfect synchronicity with each other. One of the most threatened wild equids in Asia, there are only 35-40,000 individuals remaining in the vast wild desert landscapes of the Gobi and Central Asia. Photographed as part of the Natural Capital Project, NASA and WCS Mongolia - Nikon D500, Nikkor 300 F4 PF.
ALTAI MOUNTAINS, CHINESE RUSSIAN BORDER, WESTERN MONGOLIA: The primordial landscape of the Altai mountains represents one of the last viable refuges for many species including wolverine, argali, Siberian ibex and the endangered snow leopard.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Fresh snow leopard tracks indicating their presence at the start of the breeding season in the beginning of winter. Individual males begin to spray their scent on rock scrapes in their search for a suitable mate.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A local Kazakh herder points to the area where wolves have taken livestock during the previous night. Retaliation killings and poaching are now the primary threats to snow leopards and grey wolves with most being killed by local people in retaliation killings. Although wolves and snow leopards have been coexisting with humans for thousands of years, their numbers have diminished as a consequence of increasing conflicts with humans. During the last 3 years, attacks on livestock have increased in many parts of the snow leopard’s range. Therefore, local people and decision makers think snow leopard populations have increased, although this is the result of decreasing wild ungulate populations and increasing competition to livestock. The snow leopard is now as critically endangered as the tiger with just 4,500 of these elusive big cats now surviving in the wild.
CHIGERTEI NATIONAL PARK, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A large male golden eagle used by Kazakh herders to hunt wolves stands tethered outside a herders Yurt. Golden eagles are raised from chicks and used extensively to hunt foxes and other animals and kill grey wolves that prey on livestock.
CHIGERTEI NATIONAL PARK, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A Department of Protected Area Management ranger interviewing a local Kazakh herder in Chigertei National Park on the Chinese border in western Mongolia. Protected area managers are often livestock herders themselves and sometimes struggle with the inherent conflicts associated with enforcing national laws on encroachment and wildlife poaching in long established local communities that are located within recently created National Parks and Protected areas. Local herders often provide valuable information on snow leopard presence and behaviour.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Department of Protected Area Management rangers scouting for snow leopard signs. Local protected area managers play a critical role in monitoring wildlife activity within the protected area.
A local Kazakh herder inspects the carcass of one of his horses taken by a snow leopard during night in the Khukh Serkh Special Protected Area, Bayan Ulgii Province, western Mongolia. Retaliation killings are now the primary threat to snow leopard numbers with most being killed by local people in revenge for livestock losses. Attacks on livestock have increased in many parts of the snow leopard’s range creating the misperception by local communities and decision makers that snow leopard populations have also increased, although this is the result of decreasing wild prey populations and increasing competition to livestock.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Often referred to as the ghost cat, the snow leopard is now as endangered as the tiger with perhaps only 4,500 of these elusive big cats now surviving in the wild. With over 3 million years of evolution behind them, snow leopards represent one of the most secretive and efficient predators on the planet.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A magnificent mature argali ram stops to observe the landscape at dawn while moving to higher altitude. The argali (ovis ammon) is the largest wild sheep species in the world, and no other sheep has such impressive horns as a mature argali ram. Argali are one of the main prey species of the snow leopard but are being marginalised as livestock encroachment into protected areas continues and competition for viable grazing areas increases.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, MONGOLIA: Testing snow leopard traps for deployment in the Khukh Serkh special protected area. GPS collaring provides valuable data as to snow leopard ecology and behaviour and with each collaring expedition often requiring months in remote locations, it is critical all equipment is accounted for and operating correctly. The snow leopard (Pantera uncia) is a keystone species of the mountain ecosystems of Central Asia. As the top predator in the high mountains of Central Asia, the snow leopard plays an important ecological role in controlling the populations and health of the wild species it preys on.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Kazakh and Mongolian members of the snow leopard research team review camera trap images taken of snow leopards. Searching for unique fur patterns and markings that identify specific individuals reveals particular characteristics of the leopards range and behaviour. Camera trap monitoring is the most effect tool available for monitoring and recording snow leopards and helps protected area managers mitigate threats and understand the snow leopards movements and prey base.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Biologist and expedition leader Dr Barry Rosenbaum inspects snow leopard traps in preperation for deployment in the Khukh Serkh special protected area. GPS collaring provides valuable data as to snow leopard ecology and behaviour and with each collaring expedition often requiring months in remote locations, it is critical all equipment is accounted for and operating correctly. The snow leopard (Pantera uncia) is a keystone species of the mountain ecosystems of Central Asia. As the top predator in the high mountains of Central Asia, the snow leopard plays an important ecological role in controlling the populations and health of the wild species it preys on.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: An ex Mongolian government wolf hunter now carries snow leopard traps as part of GPS collaring program. Retaliation killings are now the primary threat to snow leopard numbers with most being killed by local people in revenge for livestock losses.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Often referred to as the ghost cat, the snow leopard is now as endangered as the tiger with perhaps only 4,500 of these elusive big cats now surviving in the wild. With over 3 million years of evolution behind them, snow leopards represent one of the most secretive and efficient predators on the planet. With massive shoulders and a huge tail for counterbalance, they can bring down prey three times their own weight in the most extreme mountain environments on earth.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A mature argali ram stops to observe the landscape at dawn while moving to the safety of higher altitude. The argali, Ovis ammon, is the largest wild sheep in the world, and no other sheep has such impressive horns as a mature argali ram. Argali are listed as "Vulnerable" by IUCN, and two of its currently nine recognised subspecies, from China and Kazakhstan, are even "Critically Endangered". The Gobi Argali (Ovis ammon darwini) of Mongolia is rated "Endangered" both internationally and nationally. They are being marginalised as livestock encroachment into protected areas continues and competition for viable grazing areas increases. Research also suggests that the argali population declines primarily result from poaching. Poaching is primarily for subsistence, but increasingly for horns to be used in traditional Chinese medicine as a replacement for other, more valuable horns from other declining species. Argali are a primary prey species of snow leopards and wolves. As their numbers decline, these top predators turn increasingly to livestock for prey, leading to retribution killings.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A young adult male snow leopard being closely monitored before release as it recovers from collaring. With a measured home range of over 300km sq, this individual has continued to thrive and has provided valuable data as to snow leopard ecology and behaviour. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a keystone species of the mountain ecosystems of Central Asia. As the top predator in the high mountains of Central Asia, snow leopards play an important ecological role in controlling the populations and health of the wild species it preys on.
A young male adult snow leopard being weighed before release as it recovers from GPS collaring in the Khukh Serkh Special Protected Area, Altai mountains, western Mongolia. Snow leopards have extra long tails to provide counter balance while hunting and warmth during the freezing winter months.
CHIGERTEI NATIONAL PARK, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A Kazakh herders summer home and their livestock encroach on the Chigertei National Park. Although snow leopards have been coexisting with humans for thousands of years, their numbers are believed to have diminished recently as a consequence of increasing conflicts with humans. During the last 3 years, attacks on livestock have increased in many parts of the snow leopard’s range. Therefore, local people and decision makers think that snow leopard populations have increased, although this is the result of decreasing wild ungulates like argali and Siberian ibex and increasing competition to livestock. The primordial landscape of the Altai mountains represents one of the last viable refuges for the endangered snow leopard.
CHIGERTEI NATIONAL PARK, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A Kazakh herders summer home and their livestock encroach on the Chigertei National Park. Although snow leopards have been coexisting with humans for thousands of years, their numbers are believed to have diminished recently as a consequence of increasing conflicts with humans. During the last 3 years, attacks on livestock have increased in many parts of the snow leopard’s range. Therefore, local people and decision makers think that snow leopard populations have increased, although this is the result of decreasing wild ungulates like argali and Siberian ibex and increasing competition to livestock. The primordial landscape of the Altai mountains represents one of the last viable refuges for the endangered snow leopard.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A young adult male snow leopard being weighed before release as it recovers from collaring. With a measured home range of over 300km sq, this individual has continued to thrive and has provided valuable data as to snow leopard ecology and behaviour. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a keystone species of the mountain ecosystems of Central Asia. As the top predator in the high mountains of Central Asia, snow leopards play an important ecological role in controlling the populations and health of the wild species it preys on.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, BAYAN ULGII PROVINCE, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Salut Khan, a senior Department of Protected Area Management ranger during an interview with local herders. Protected area managers are often livestock herders themselves and sometimes struggle with the inherent conflicts associated with enforcing national laws on encroachment and wildlife poaching in local communities.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, BAYAN ULGII PROVINCE, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: The primordial landscape of the Altai mountains represents one of the last viable refuges for the endangered snow leopard.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, BAYAN ULGII PROVINCE, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: The primordial landscape of the Altai mountains represents one of the last viable refuges for the endangered snow leopard.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Mongolian members of the snow leopard research team collect fecal samples for DNA analysis of local snow leopard populations.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Local Khazakh Department of Protected Area Management rangers play a critical role in monitoring wildlife activity and conflict mitigation within the protected areas.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Large mature Siberian ibex ram (Capra sibirica), one of the main prey species of large predators like wolves and snow leopard.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: The primordial landscape of the Altai mountains represents one of the last viable refuges for the endangered snow leopard and many other indigenous species of central Asia.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Snow leopard research teams spend long periods in remote locations and local sheep stock provide the main food source for extended expeditions.
ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Snow leopard researchers discuss recent incidents involving stock predation with local Kazakh herders. Conservation efforts rely heavily on local community participation and cooperation for monitoring snow leopard conflict issues around protected areas.
KHUKH SERKH SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Biologist Dr Barry Rosenbaum inspects the carcass of a horse taken by a snow leopard close to camp the previous night. Retaliation killings and poaching are now the primary threats to snow leopard numbers with most being killed by local people in revenge for livestock losses. Although snow leopards have been coexisting with humans for thousands of years, their numbers have diminished as a consequence of increasing conflicts with humans. During the last 3 years, attacks on livestock have increased in many parts of the snow leopard’s range. Therefore, local people and decision makers think snow leopard populations have increased, although this is the result of decreasing wild ungulate populations and increasing competition to livestock. The snow leopard is now as critically endangered as the tiger with just 4,500 of these elusive big cats now surviving in the wild.
ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: Local Kazakh herders release their goats for grazing from a generations old stone corral bordering the Khukh Serkh Special Protected Area. Conservation efforts rely heavily on local community participation and cooperation for monitoring snow leopard conflict issues around protected areas.
ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A Kazakh herder family serves milk tea to snow leopard researchers as they discuss recent incidents involving stock predation. Conservation efforts rely heavily on local community participation and cooperation for monitoring snow leopard conflict issues around protected areas.
CHIGERTEI NATIONAL PARK, ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A large male golden eagle used by Kazakh herders to hunt wolves stands tethered outside a herders Yurt. Golden eagles are raised from chicks and used extensively to hunt foxes and other animals and kill grey wolves that prey on livestock.
ALTAI MOUNTAINS, WESTERN MONGOLIA: A Kazakh herders summer home bordering the Khukh Serkh Special Protected Area. Conservation efforts rely heavily on local community participation and cooperation for monitoring snow leopard conflict issues around protected areas.
KAZAKHSTAN, CENTRAL ASIA: 1930's archival photo of a Kazakh hunter with snow leopard.

Besides its naturally low density, the primary challenges for conservationists are the snow leopards elusive and cryptic behavior, large home range, and dependence upon ungulate prey populations that are declining. With the depletion of its prey, snow leopards often resort to killing livestock, in turn encouraging herders to resort to retributive killings.

The predominant land uses and source of local livelihoods in most of the snow leopard’s habitat revolve around traditional pastoralism. While relatively few humans reside in snow leopard habitat, their use of the landscape is pervasive, leading to escalating levels of human–leopard conflict, especially within or adjacent to protected areas where resources are more strictly controlled. Since few, if any, of the approximately 100 existing protected areas situated within snow leopard range are free of human influence, its survival hinges upon an uneasy coexistence with subsistence pastoralists and farmers trying to make a living under the same harsh environmental conditions. Thus, innovative and decidedly participatory approaches for engaging pastoralists and communities in snow leopard conservation are critical to ensure the species’ long-term survival.

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