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Long-term ecological research program

The long-term ecological research program for snow leopards has been implemented in the Tost Mountains of Gurvantes soum, Umnugovi aimag, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Mongolia and the Snow Leopard Trust, among other foreign and domestic organizations, since 2008. This research program is an international program that uses modern technology to study the biology and ecology of the Mongolian snow leopard and its prey.


Within the framework of this work, comprehensive studies on snow leopard migration, migration, behavior, reproduction, habitat selection, and other aspects are being conducted using modern methodological technologies (wearing GPS collars with satellite signals, installing automatic cameras) to assess the distribution of the animal, as well as comprehensive studies on pastures, wildlife diseases, and food sources to find answers to many ecological problems. Many domestic and foreign researchers participate in this study, and as of 2022, a total of 42 domestic and foreign students have defended their PhD and Master's degrees, as well as training courses to train specialists in specially protected areas, biologists, conservationists, and university students in innovative research methods.


Research and analysis program / Tost TBNG and nearby branch mountains /

  • Spatial research of wildlife using location-based collars

  • Research on monitoring wildlife populations using motion-sensing cameras

  • Mountain ungulate population survey

  • Other studies


Photo of a leopard with a collar


Automatic camera photo




Mountain ungulate population survey


The most important representatives of ungulates in high-altitude ecosystems, such as ibex and argali, are major representatives that influence the structure and functioning of the ecosystem. Knowledge of the abundance and distribution of prey species of the snow leopard is important for knowledge of its ecology and, ultimately, for conservation purposes. Since 2014, we have been monitoring the ibex and argali populations in the mountains of Tost, Tosonbumban, Noyon, Nemegt, Gilbent Sevrein, Zoelung and Gurvan Sangaan using the “DUAL WORKER” methodology for periods depending on the characteristics of the ungulates. Since 2019, we have been collecting data on the birth rate of female ibex to monitor changes in ibex reproduction /from 2022, the Distance Sampling methodology has been used in this study/. Multidisciplinary ecological studies are being conducted that examine the survival of young individuals, maturation, migration, predation, and changes in natural variables such as precipitation.


ANIMAL SPATIAL USE STUDY

The purpose of the location-based collar is to study the animals' spatial use patterns, such as migration patterns, habitat selection, and home ranges, as well as their activity and feeding patterns. Other scientific studies have shown that collaring snow leopards does not affect their natural behavior.


Within the scope of this study, we are working with relevant organizations to study the relationship between snow leopards, ibex, and domestic livestock using location-tracking collars.


POPULATION SURVEY

In order to determine the leopard population, 25-45 motion-sensing cameras are installed for 80-90 days each year in the mountainous areas of Erdene Tsogt Mountain Range, Gobi Ikh National Park A, Gobi Baga National Park A, and Ikh Bogd National Park in Bayankhongor aimag, and in order to monitor the number of snow leopards over the long term, 25-45 motion-sensing cameras are installed in each of the Tost and Tosonbumban Mountains of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, Altan Uul, Nemegt, Gilbent, Sevrey, Zoelun, Bayan Tsagaan, Bayan Bor, Gurvan Sanayny Mountains, and Noyon Uul in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park.

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