Snow leopards given satellite collars to help conservation research in Nepal

A pair of snow leopards in Nepal have been fitted with satellite collars to assist research in a bid to protect the species.

The devices will monitor the mountain-dwelling cats, which are found in just 12 countries in Asia.

They face a raft of threats including loss of prey, poaching and illegal trade, conflict with local people and loss or deterioration of their habitat.

Two male snow leopards were successfully fitted with satellite collars in Nepal’s Shey Phoksundo National Park.

This will allow a team led by Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation to source information on the animals.

The team collared Zeborong and Samling before releasing them back into the wild, in a first for the region.

Rebecca May, WWF-UK regional manager, Asia Programme, said: “Snow leopards are found in only 12 countries, and there are estimated to be as few as 4,000 in the wild.

“We are proud to work with the government of Nepal on this ground-breaking project, which we hope will provide special insights into the lives of snow leopards in this area to inform conservation efforts.

“The information from the satellite collars will inform and improve conservation plans to better protect the snow leopards, providing information on behaviour, movement and habitat use.”

Those involved included local citizen scientists, national park staff, members of National Trust for Nature Conservation and WWF researchers

Under the guidance of a wildlife vet the two adult animals were sedated, while checks were carried out which showed both snow leopards were healthy.

Snow leopards are listed as globally vulnerable to extinction.

They are found in countries including Nepal, Afghanistan, China, India, Russia and Kazakhstan.

In Nepal work is under way to protect the animals, while Nepali mountain communities consider the snow leopard to be a mountain deity, a belief which conservationists say helps ensure its long-term survival.

Additional reporting by PA.

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