Explanation of datasheets for Biosphere Expeditions snow leopard conservation project in the Altai Republic, Central Asia (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/altai).

1. Datasheets
• snow leopard sign survey
• scat collection
• prey species survey
• interviews
• camera trap set up
• camera trap SD card change

2. Snow leopard signs
Snow leopards leave evidence of their presence through
 tracks,
 scrapes,
 feces,
 scent-sprays,
 claw-rakes
 remains from kills
When a snow leopard scrapes, it leaves behind its own scent,
presumably indicating who it is (a resident or transient individual),
its sex and whether or not it is ready to breed.

3. • Mountain ridges,
• cliff edges
• well-defined drainage lines
Serve as common travel routes and sites for
the deposition of sign, including scrapes,
scats and scent marks.
Core areas may be marked significantly more
frequently than non-core sites.
The more visible a scrape, the more likely it is
to be remarked – in effect freshened up to
cover the scent of another individual. Marking
frequency varies seasonally.
(from Snow Leopard Conservancy)

4. the survey area will be divided into survey cells
A B C D
1
2
3
4

5. Snow leopard sign survey
we will place between 5 - 20 transects within each survey cell
(length 250 - 900m)
B slowly walk along transects and search for
snow leopard signs within 5 m wide strip on either side
of the line of travel
Signs to look for:
3
• TRACKS
• SCRAPES
• SCENT MARKS
• SCAT
• KILLS

7. TRACKS (pugmarks)
Pugmarks are extremely short-lived compared to scrapes

8. If we come across tracks,
we will measure
• heel pad length
• heel pad width
• greatest length
• greatest width

9. scrapes
Snow leopard scrape their back legs to excavate soil,
leaving a small depression with a mound of soil next to it
Scrapes may persist for a year or more if made in gravel or protected by
overhanging rocks. Many scrape sites are regularly visited and
refreshed, leading to well-sculptured scrapes at what we call “relic
sites.” As much as 40% of all scraping activity involves remarking of
existing scrapes

10. scrapes
When finding scrapes
we will
classify the site
and measure:
greatest width
greatest length

11. scent mark
Snow leopards spray boulders with a pungent liquid
from scent glands located under the base of the tail.
They also spread scent by cheek-rubbing on rocks
or trees.

12. if coming along scent marks:
measure:
greatest height of scented mark
greatest width of mark
width of scented feature
length of scented feature
check if scrape is nearby and
measure distance to scrape

14. scat collection
Because snow leopards are difficult to capture, one of the most
effective techniques for sampling their wild populations is by
collecting faeces (scat). When this is combined with genetic
analysis, much information on their populations can be obtained.
This approach is referred to as non-invasive genetics. We will
collect scat and hand it over to Mikhail Paltsyn (WWF Russia)

15. scat collection
scats are often, but not always deposited
on or near scrapes, near a scented rock,
along wildlife trails (especially at bends),
and near kill remains.
• scats tend to be uniform in
diameter (1.8 cm average
diameter)
• comprised of several slightly
constricted “cords” or connected
blocky segments.
• usually has blunt ends
Note: snow leopards may also
deposit small, fox-like scats

16. scat collection
Prepare a new Collection Tube with Silica
Desiccant and label it with the Date, Sample
ID, and Collector’s Name on the side of the tube
and with the sample ID on top of the cap.
2. Take the GPS location.
3. Fill out the Sample Data Form.
4. Take several pictures of the scat
5. Put on a new pair of gloves
6. Break off bits and pieces from the outside
part of the scat including pieces not directly in
the sun. Collect scat material about the size of a
pinkie nail. Do not fill the rest of the tube with
scat. Do not compact scat – the scat should be
loose.
7. Dispose of gloves – keep used gloves away
from sample tubes ALWAYS HANDLE EACH
SCAT WITH NEW GLOVES

18. prey species surveys
A knowledge of prey density and predator–prey ratios helps to set limits
for validating snow leopard numbers in a particular area.
A snow leopard requires approximately 1.5 to 2.5 kg of meat per day, or
40 to 45 g of food per kilogram of its body weight daily
We observed a total of five different prey items from 81 fecal
samples. Siberian ibex predominated the diet (in 70.4% of the
feces), followed by domestic goat (17.3%) and argali sheep
(8.6%). The major part of the diet was comprised of large
ungulates (in 98.8% of the feces) including wild ungulates
(79%) and domestic livestock (19.7%).
Prey Preference of Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia) in South Gobi,Mongolia2012 McCarthy, Thomas Michael.
Pompanon, Francois. Purejav, Lkhagvajav. Coissac, Eric. Riaz,Tiayyba. Taberlet, Pierre Prey Preference of
Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia) in South Gobi, Mongolia 2012 publication: PLoS ONE issue: Feb 2012
type of publication: Journal Article eb 2012

19. prey species
surveys
Therefore, on each block set search sites – small, contiguous areas in
which one can search for ungulates from no more than one or two high
vantage points
Try to climb onto high ridgelines and look downward into adjacent valleys.
Alternatively, one could view a valley slope from the opposite slope

21. interviews
• we will interview locals to see their attitude towards snow
leopards and to get an idea where the snow leopards
might be / have been seen
• we will conduct the interviews in a “chatty” way
• try to keep the datasheet out of sight, don’t let it look like
an interview as answers might then be made up

22. interviews

23. camera trap set up
Camera traps can be used to
• census a population within a
defined area
• estimate SL population size
within each survey cell we will install two camera trap stations
each including two camera traps (= four camera traps per
survey cell)

24. camera trap set up
before setting the station
• locate the best snow leopard travel path
• determine how to frame the pictures (what angle works best)
• find flat ground, clear the area
• set up each camera 2-5 m where you expect the cat to walk
• set up each camera 35 – 45 cm above the ground
• set up two cameras to face each other at a 45 degree angle
• orientate the cameras north or south if possible
• shadow the sensor by building a housing with a flat rock or similar
• fill in the datasheet (GPS, Altitude, Time, Setting, Comments and if possible
take a picture of the station)

25. camera trap set up

27. thank you