Assurance of the existence of a trans‐boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) at Tsagaanshuvuut – Tsagan‐Shibetu SPA at the Mongolia–Russia border

The existence of a trans‐boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) that inhabits the massifs of Tsagaanshuvuut (Mongolia) – Tsagan‐Shibetu (Russia) was determined through non‐invasive genetic analysis of scat samples and by studying the structure of territory use by a collared female individual. The genetic analysis included species identification of samples through sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome b gene and individual identification using a panel of 8 microsatellites. The home range of a female snow leopard marked with a satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) collar was represented by the minimum convex polygon method (MCP) 100, the MCP 95 method and the fixed kernel 95 method. The results revealed insignificant genetic differentiation between snow leopards that inhabit both massifs (minimal fixation index [F_ST]), and the data testify to the unity of the cross‐border group. Moreover, 5 common individuals were identified from Mongolian and Russian territories. This finding clearly shows that their home range includes territories of both countries. In addition, regular movement of a collared snow leopard in Mongolia and Russia confirmed the existence of a cross‐border snow leopard group. These data support that trans‐boundary conservation is important for snow leopards in both countries. We conclude that it is crucial for Russia to study the northern range of snow leopards in Asia.     

新疆北塔山地区雪豹及其食物资源调查初报

2004年9月对新疆东北部阿勒泰山系北塔山地区进行雪豹调查。主要采用样线调查和问卷调查相结合的方法,对15条样线和5个民族81人次进行了问卷调查。调查共发现雪豹痕迹67处,其中刨迹39处,占58.2%;粪便24处,占35.8%;气味标记1处,占1.5%;爪迹3处,占4.5%。发现雪豹主要食物北山羊4群,共23只;石鸡24群,共418只。被访问的81人次中,亲眼见过雪豹的有11人,占13.58%,没见过雪豹但是听说过的有17人,占20.99%,没有见过也没有听说当地有雪豹的有53人,占65.4%,了解到有雪豹袭击伤害家畜的有10人,占12.35%。     

Winter habitat use of snow leopards in Tomur National Nature Reserve of Xinjiang,Northwest China

Snow leopards are one of the least known large cats,the population of which has dramatically decreased.Their habitat loss was considered the main reason for the decline during the last decade,but their habitat preferences are still not well known.In this paper,we studied the winter habitat preferences of snow leopards in the Tomur National Nature Reserve(TNNR)in Northwest China during 2004–2005.We used sign surveys and transects to study the winter habitat selection of snow leopards.The results indicated that snow leopards showed a preference for habitat variabilities in slope aspect,vegetation cover,dominant topographical features,landform ruggedness and grazing status.We found that prey availability and dominant topographical features were the most important factors that determined the winter habitat selection of snow leopards.Our results supported the idea that the habitat preferences of snow leopards are a tradeoff between suitable habitat features and avoidance of potential human interactions.