Update on Snow Leopard Friendly Vaccination Program in Pakistan

The Snow Leopard Friendly Vaccination Program was evaluated in 2008 and found mature enough for expansion. We surveyed the north and eastern part of Chitral District, North West Frontier Province (NWFP), particularly the valleys of Laspu, Yarkun, Mastuj and Torkho. They not only cover substantial snow leopard range, but also provide connections with Gilgit and Ghizer Districts in Gilgit-Baltistan (formerly known as the Northern Areas), and with the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan. These valleys have been ignored by conservation initiatives despite their remarkable wildlife potential and interesting geographical setting.

The vaccination program aims to reduce livestock mortality due to diseases, improve the productivity of the stock, and link those benefits to snow leopard conservation. The program was initiated in Kuju in 2003 and replicated to Parsan in 2005. In 2007, five more villages were included in the program and training was imparted to the selected community members.

With support from Blue Moon Fund support and Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, the program was expanded in 2009 to five more villages: Drungagh, Ujnu, Rech, Balim, and Sor-Laspur situated in the northeast and northwest of Chitral District.

Livestock Vaccination in the Existing Sites 

Vaccines against Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS), Anthrax Spore (AS), Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Enterotoxaemia ET) were distributed among the communities as per vaccination calendar. The communities were briefed to deposit their share of the vaccine cost as per agreement. CLEWs successfully completed all the campaigns. The CLEWs were provided technical support by the field staff of Livestock Department during the campaigns. A total of 6,458 animals were immunized against fatal disease.

Livestock Vaccination in the New Sites 

Livestock vaccination campaigns against Caprine Contagious Pleuro-pneumonia (CCPP) and Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) were initiated in the five newly selected villages. Vaccination formats were developed and provided to the CLEWs. All the campaigns were successful and people were keen and supportive towards the program.

In total, the program vaccinated 15,932 animals. Dr. Nawaz, the program PI, has asked his field staff to collect information on the number of households and number of livestock that did not participate. He anticipates there could be as many as 1,000 animals that were not vaccinated that might join the program in 2010.