China is estimated to encompass 60% of the snow leopard’s habitat and likely holds a significant portion of the species’ population. Yet, no large-scale, systematic population assessment has been conducted in the country. Multiple organizations have, however, conducted local-scale camera trap surveys in small areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a crucial snow leopard habitat. In a first for the PAWS initiative, researchers have consolidated these smaller efforts to obtain a robust population estimate for the Sanjiangyuan region, which covers 360,000 km2 (about the size of Germany or the state of Montana) and contains the headwaters of the Huang Ho (Yellow), the Yangtze and the Mekong Rivers.
Previous population assessment surveys in Sanjiangyuan were limited to small areas and not representative of the entire region. The Sanjiangyuan assessment had to reconcile camera trap data from multiple organizations to obtain a reliable population estimate. This was no small feat and required researchers from Snow Leopard Trust and other conservation organizations to adjust their usual methodology for population surveys.
“The beauty of the PAWS process is that it allows a great amount of flexibility in study designs and data analyses without compromising the reliability and replicability of the results. In the absence of such flexibility, it would not have been possible to facilitate such large-scale collaborations.” – Dr. Koustubh Sharma, Snow Leopard Trust Science & Conservation Director.
While unorthodox, this approach can save valuable conservation resources by using existing datasets. It could be used as a framework to scale up snow leopard population estimates in other parts of China and elsewhere. The process could even be applied to population assessments for other endangered species. Moreover, it is a testament to the importance of cooperation between organizations and countries for conservation and scientific research.
The Sanjiangyuan region has a high density of snow leopards. Based on prior surveys and conservative estimates, this area accounts for as much as 20% of the world’s snow leopards. This highlights the importance of conservation efforts in the region and other parts of China. These results will help policymakers and conservationists develop more informed strategic plans to protect snow leopards where they need it most.
Sign up for our monthly E-News to stay up to date on all the latest snow leopard research.
Acknowledgments: Thank you to everyone who contributed to this survey and publication, including the Sanjiangyuan National Park, the local governments in Yushu and Golok Prefecture and the researchers and rangers from their respective communities.
Photo credits: Shan Shui, Panthera, Snow Leopard Trust