Snow Leopards Recorded in Arunachal Pradesh via Camera Traps

Snow leopard captured on camera trap in Arunachal Pradesh

A study by WWF-India on snow leopards has revealed presence of these magnificent and elusive big cats in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. A statewide survey was conducted by WWF-India in partnership with the Arunachal Pradesh forest department from March 2017. It was based on the knowledge of local community members and will help understand the current distribution of snow leopards and other large mammals in Arunachal Pradesh. The research team set up camera traps in select areas to record the snow leopards. One of the places was a community-conserved area called Thembang, where a snow leopard was caught on camera. The survey not only included use of camera traps, but also interviews of herders and former hunters who gave detailed information on snow leopards and their prey species in the state. Over 80% of the interviewees verified the presence of snow leopards in the area. This discovery is especially important, given that large natural areas in the state are under protection of local communities whose support is essential to protect the species and its habitat. In Arunachal Pradesh, only a small portion of snow leopard habitat falls under two protected areas: Dibang Biosphere Reserve and Namdapha National Park. A press statement indicated that the existence of snow leopards outside these protected areas underlines the seriousness of community support for conservation in addition to landscape-scale conservation planning.

Landscape of Namdapha National Park; one of the places in Arunachal Pradesh where the snow leopard is found.

It is an incredible news that the snow leopard is found to be roaming in areas in other parts of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as the Dibang Biosphere Reserve and Namdapha National Park. Findings made during this survey will allow the forest department to create a snow leopard conservation plan to discuss threats such as vengeful killings and climate change-induced impact on the big cat's habitat. It will also help plan for infrastructure development. It is very pleasing to see that the local communities are protecting the areas of Arunachal Pradesh where the snow leopard is recorded. However, there are also communities in other parts of the snow leopard's range who do not share an easy relationship with the big cat. This is why it is crucial to reach out and encourage such communities to never resort to retaliatory killings against the snow leopard and provide them with helpful tips and harmless alternatives when living alongside the big cat. Furthermore, it is also important to address to the world about the impact of climate change on snow leopards and other mountain-dwelling wildlife and act upon it.

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