The snow leopard is a beautiful and charismatic animal, found in the remote mountainous regions of Central Asia. Protected by thick, smoky-grey fur, and capable of leaping thirty feet and taking prey three times its own weight, it is well adapted to the cold, harsh landscape.
Solitary, shy and well camouflaged, the snow leopard is very rarely seen. Although not at all aggressive to humans, it continues to suffer at their hands. A combination of persecution and poaching for its fur and body parts has reduced wild snow leopard numbers to an estimated 2,500 mature, breeding individuals.
The remaining population is being forced into smaller and increasingly isolated locations. The snow leopard is now listed as Endangered, the same classification as the tiger.
Poaching is one of the main threats to the snow leopard. The park team is therefore being supported to implement a new anti-poaching strategy. Training in anti-poaching techniques, new uniforms and high specification equipment have not only increased the visibility of the reserve’s rangers, but also enhanced their effectiveness in tracking and foiling poachers.
Local people also play a vital role in conserving the reserve. They have a strong affinity with the snow leopard and can act as guardians by informing reserve staff when poachers pass through their villages. The locals themselves are, arguably, a threatened species, living in such a remote location with few opportunities for employment. Fauna & Flora International is therefore investigating how the special qualities of the reserve can be exploited for conservation and community ends alike.
Fauna & Flora International’s Eurasia programme is working in partnership with the International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT) and Bashat (CBF), Kyrgyzstan, to improve the management of the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve, one of the few protected sites for the snow leopard in Central Asia.
Funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Finance Corporation, with additional support from the Kumtor Operating Company, Kyrgyzstan, the project has provided technical training and support to the reserve’s highly-committed staff in areas that are crucial to the long-term management and protection of Sarychat-Ertash and, by extension, the snow leopard and its prey.
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