The Status of Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) Conservation in Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve at Haa, Bhutan

Abstract

Study of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia, Schreber, 1775) using infrared camera traps along actively used tracks, scent-sprayed rocks, scats and scrape sites was conducted in the mountains of Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, Haa, Bhutan between October and December 2015 and it is still being continued. A total of 17 grids, each measuring 16km2 were sampled covering a total area of 272 km2 . Thirty-four camera traps were stationed in 17 grids and in a total of 60 trap nights, 215 images of Snow Leopard were captured out of which 163 images were considered for analysis. Using the pelage patterns on the body parts such as forelimbs, face, flanks and dorsum of the tail of the captured individuals, a total of ten different individuals were identified including the one that was recorded during the extended period trapping for a month. Capture history of camera trap station G9 (Kampula) indicated that it had the highest concentration of the species as individuals JKSNR 3, 4, 8 and 9 were all captured at the same station. The capture timing of the species confirms its crepuscular nature as most of them were recorded between dawn and the dusk. Our results suggest that the species can be well monitored and conserved using camera traps. The Reserve can focus on patrolling and monitoring of the species in the identified high-density areas for maintaining the moving population to perpetuity.