SNOW LEOPARD NETWORK

SNOW LEOPARD SURVIVAL STRATEGY RESEARCH TOPIC TABLES

The Snow Leopard Survival Strategy incorporates 31 topics in the "Research and Information Needs" section (beginning on page 47 of the SLSS), all of which require further study in order to effectively conserve snow leopards, their habitat, and their prey species. These research tables address the need for five specific areas of snow leopard study: Status and Distribution, Ecology and Natural History, Native Ecosystems, Coexistance with Humans, and Integrated Approaches. The SLSS research topics are organized in these tables according to which umbrella issue they address, giving the significance, examples, and further research needs for each. To reference work that is already being done on these issues, see the "Case Studies" listed under each research topic in the SLSS.

Table 2-4: Coexistence With Humans
Research Topic	Significance	Examples	Highest Priority Regions	Current Projects
R.12 Wild ungulate – livestock interactions (competition)	Addressing over-grazing from livestock requires socio-economic & attitudinal information on herders & their respective communities.	Methods could include a literature survey & participatory village meetings or questionnaires. Also see R.1 & R.8	HIMLY	Case Studies R.12
R.14 Snow Leopard poaching levels	Documenting poaching statistics & underlying reasons is best done at a local level, so that protective networks can be established or strengthened.	Review existing information to verify poaching "hotspots" & patterns; establish standardized database systems & strengthen vigilance networks.	KK/HK, CISWC, NRANG, RW	Case Studies R.14
R.15 Illegal trade in wildlife parts – market demand, sources & routes, value, etc.	Thorough review of wildlife trade, especially in known black market centers.	Investigate how interested parties value & use every part of the poached animals. Review R.10 & R.14 to find sources & trade routes.	KK/HK, CISWC, RW	Case Studies R.15
R.16 Livestock depredation rates	Depredation rates & impacts vary widely, household impact usually greater than losses at community level. High loss may lead to retributive killing.	Review literature, develop standardized protocols for documenting livestock depredation, including monitoring by herders themselves.	KK/HK	Case Studies R.16
R.17 Livestock depredation causes	Root causes for depredation may not be evident without suitable participatory investigations of guarding & herding practices, as well as availability of natural prey.	Analyze R.16 & herding practices to find the most efficient method of guarding herd animals from snow leopards.	KK/HK	Case Studies R.17
R.25 Economic valuation of snow leopards	Includes intrinsic value & eco-tourism. Useful in weighing value of conservation against resource development or depredation cost.	A standard framework must be established to record value, & innovative wildlife valuation schemes must be produced.	CISWC, NRANG	Case Studies R.25
R.31 Human attitudes toward snow leopards	Changes in human attitudes toward carnivores are fundamental in the management of predator populations.	Attitudinal surveys are a high priority in determining how to change human perceptions of snow leopards & prey. Valid surveys require rigorous methodologies & input from experts.	HIMLY, KK/HK, NRANG, RW	Case Studies R.31