SLC Annual Report 2010

SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVANCY Annual Report 2010

From the Director magine Alexander Kuksin’s excitement when he spotted this snow leopard! IKuksin was on an expedition in Southern Siberia with Russian and … From the Director (continued)

Mongolian scientists working on cross-boundary wildlife repression under the USSR, conservation. He photographed the snow leopard with a hand- the Soyots have retained their held camera. This photo and the one on page 7 proved that spiritual connections with the snow leopards survive and are reproducing here. natural world. They consider the snow leopard to be sacred, onetheless, the cats a being who embodies ancient Nhave faced decades knowledge of earthly balance. The Soyot People consider of heavy pressures, includ- We had never before met a the snow leopard to be sacred ing the recent illegal trophy community that considers …their Protector. hunting of wild sheep from the snow leopard to be their helicopters. Snow leopards Protector. It was an amazing depend on these native prey way to mark our 30 years of interacting with people who live animals. In the aftermath in the realm of the snow leopard and our 10 year anniversary of the Soviet days, fami- of the founding of the Snow Leopard Conservancy. Rodney Jackson lies needed to supplement Mays EntertainmentMays their diet with wild meat, age 14 of this report shows that 88.5% of our expenses and the hunting tradition remains strong. Snow leopards are Pwere put to work in India, Nepal, Mongolia, Pakistan, still poached for their furs and body parts, sold primarily to Russia, and Tajikistan. Events in Pakistan illustrate how China. Where corrals have not been predator-proofed, herders daunting the physical conditions in these countries can be; in will kill a snow leopard that preys upon their livestock. Snow January, communications and fieldwork were heavily impacted leopard survivability is impacted by growing human popula- by a massive tions, the presence of armed forces in their mountain habitat, landslide that and accelerated large-scale developments like mineral explo- dammed the ration and mining, road construction, and fencing. While we Hunza River, do not know how climate change will affect snow leopards, it created a 14 is clear that melting glaciers will alter the ecology of Central mile long lake, Asia’s mountains. and submerged a several mile ow long can the snow leopards hold on? stretch of the H K a r a k o r a m hen the opportunity arose last summer to visit Highway. This WSouthern Siberia with the Worldwide Indigenous highway is a Times Pamir Science Network, Darla and I felt that the urgency warranted vital connec- Hunza River dammed by landslide our consideration of a new program. Here was our chance to tion between China and Pakistan, and a lifeline for the people put into action our discussions about forging a meaningful of the region. Yet, our partners in Gojal managed to submit union of western and indigenous approaches to saving snow progress reports via email. leopards. And, to save costs, I was able to piggyback this trip with camera trap training in the Russian and Mongolian Altai. e hope that as you read through this report you will Wbe encouraged by the scope of work that the Conser- ur sense of urgency was confirmed when the Argut vancy—including you, our donor-partners and volunteers— OBasin survey in Russia revealed no sign of snow accomplished in 2010, and that you will continue your support leopards, and several months of subsequent camera trap so we can secure a future for wild snow leopards. monitoring have captured not a single wild snow leopard. We have work to do, which you will read about on page 7. Thank you on behalf of the entire Conservancy team, owever, we were surprised and encouraged when we Hvisited the Buryat Republic near Lake Baikal. Erjen Khamaganova, Program Officer with The Christensen Fund, Rodney Jackson, Founder-Director introduced us to a small community that has recently received Snow Leopard Conservancy Soyot tribal status. Despite the generations of cultural

Annual Report 2010 / 2 Draft F ~ 04-12-11 Kudos

Freeman Award for Snow Leopard Conservation

Som Ale, Ph.D. Jigmet Dadul Dr. Som Ale, Snow Leopard Jigmet Dadul, Snow Leopard Rinchen Wangchuk Conservancy–USA Regional Con- Conservancy–India Program As- Rinchen Wangchuk, Director, Snow Leopard servation Director and post-doctoral sistant, was also awarded a Rufford Conservancy–India, received the Freeman scholar at the University of Illinois, Grant. Jigmet’s grant helps commu- Award for Snow Leopard Conservation, received a grant from the Rufford nities located off the tourist track presented in July by the Snow Leopard Trust. Small Grants Foundation for Nature to develop ecofriendly livelihoods The award was established by the family of Conservation. Som’s grant helps to linked to conservation goals. Trust founder Helen Freeman to recognize fund our collaborative wildlife cor- leaders in snow leopard conservation. ridor conservation work in Nepal. Popular Press and Media

Book Chapter: “Snow Leopards: Conflict and Conservation,” by R.M. Jackson, C. Mishra, T.M. McCarthy, Baltistan’s Project Snow Leopard was and S.B. Ale was published in Biology featured in the Guardian and Conservation of Wild Felids, D.W. Macdonald and A.J. Loveridge, editors, Oxford University Press. Interview: Rodney Jackson was inter- viewed for the KRCB North Bay Report. Listen to interview 8 Article: ArcNews, the journal of Endangered snow leopard clawing its Environmental Systems Research way back: “Innovative conservation Institute, published an article by Rodney project in Pakistan sees a slow but sure Jackson, Charleen Gavette, and Joyce rise in the number of the endangered Robinson: Saving the Ghost Cat of Central Asia - GIS Helps Revolutionize big cats.” Snow Leopard Research and Conservation, Fall 2010. Read article 8 Short Film: Rodney Jackson was honored in a short film created for the Read article 8 2010 Indianapolis Prize gala celebrations. View film 8

Annual Report 2010 / 3 Community-Based Conservation Nepal

Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park With Som Ale’s oversight, the first savings and credit group was developed in Thame (49 households) and Phortse (70 households). Each participating village was en- dowed with approximately $2700 in two installments. Each household member agreed to invest $1.35 per month in the seed fund. The project will monitor the groups’ performance as a prerequisite to making the second payment. This work is being conducted under the supervision of the Buffer Zone Management Committee, the main legal body charged with community development and resource conservation activities in the park.

The goal of this project is to build a fund from which at least 25% is invested in snow leopard conservation with activities that may vary from partially compensating live- stock depredation to patrolling habitat for musk deer snares. Som Ale Himalayan tahr, like this prime male, are snow leopard prey in Sagarmatha National Park.

Partnership with the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) Som established a formal partnership between the Conservancy and NTNC, Nepal’s leading indigenous environmental conservation organization. Under this part- nership we will expand snow leopard initiatives within Conservation Areas under the jurisdiction of NTNC. These are some of the projects we are undertaking: • With WWF–Nepal, we completed surveys in the Rolwaling area which indicated that snow leopards and their large prey are extremely rare and sparsely distributed. Further work is warranted to determine the potential for snow leopards, blue sheep and Himalayan tahr repopulating this valley from adjacent areas of Nepal or Tibet. • GIS habitat modeling and community mapping exercises continued in Lower Mustang with technical support from Environmental Systems Research Institute and Dr. Kevin Johnson. We developed a plan for community-managed livestock protection and wildlife monitoring. The targets

of the plan are to reduce people-wildlife conflict by Tsering / SLC Pema more than 50%, to monitor annual livestock predation, to Upper Mustang corral foster better guarding practices, and to initiate a locally implemented and managed livestock insurance program. • Pema Tsering, Upper Mustang coordinator, reinstated the conservation program under our collaboration with the Annapurna Conservation Area Program (ACAP) Lo Manthang office. Five corrals were predator-proofed, and livestock watering holes and trails were improved in several areas in exchange for herders protecting snow leopards and other mountain wildlife. • A field survey was conducted in the Kali Ghandaki Valley (Lower Mustang) to determine the feasibility of initiating community- based activities in this area. The valley is a corridor linking the core snow leopard populations of Dolpo with those of Manang and Manaslu.

Annual Report 2010 / 4 Community-Based Conservation Pakistan

Baltistan Baltistan Wildlife Conservation and Development Organization now has active partnerships with six villages of the Basha Valley: Bain, Sibiri, Beisil, Seisko, Zill and Doghro. Doghro was a new participant in 2010—the first time this community has ever joined in any conservation project. Part of the Conservancy’s funding was used to improve the dangerous pony track to the pasture in Chamanabad Beisil. The livestock insurance program was also expanded. Of the 420 households in the participating villages, 317 have taken out insurance for some 1,600 small livestock and 420 large animals. Activities are conducted under the leadership of Dr. Shafqat Hussain and Ghulam Mohammad.

Gojal The Conservancy continued to support conservation activities in the buffer zone of the Khunjerab National Park under an ongoing partnership with the Khunjerab Village Organization. This was the third year of a communally managed shepherding program and the fifth year in which community members monitored snow leopard sign and the blue sheep and ibex populations. Leopard Project Snow Trail to high pasture, Baltistan

Annual Report 2010 / 5 Community-Based Conservation India Mongolia Snow Leopard Conservancy–India brought Ms. Radhika Togoldor’s satellite collar transmitted 1,080 GPS locations Kothari on board to serve as Deputy Director under Director during the year he wore it before it automatically fell off, as Rinchen Wangchuk’s guidance and mentorship. Radhika has a planned. On average, he moved three miles daily, covering his Masters Degree in Sustain- home range of up to 260 square miles. He showed a strong pref- able Development and has erence for the northern edge of Baga Bogd Mountain, where worked for the Ecotourism the human popu- and Conservation Society lation is lowest. of Sikkim with Executive As expected, he Secretary Renzino Lepcha. preferred areas of Renzino is on the Board of broken rocky ter- Snow Leopard Conservancy– rain, interspersed India. Radhika has worked with small grassy closely with local communi- meadows favored ties near protected areas in by ibex. We de- Sikkim, to enhance incomes tected 28 sites through development and where we sus- promotion of community- pected he made based ecotourism. We at the a kill and fed Snow Leopard Conservancy– We were surprised that Togoldor never left Baga over the next few USA look forward to work- Bogd. It is vital to protect these isolated mountains days. Our efforts ing with Radhika and to our that link snow leopards between the South Gobi and are now shifting continued collaboration with core habitat elsewhere in Mongolia. to the border of Snow Leopard Conservancy– Mongolia and Russia, since this area is critical to the recovery India. of the depleted Russian snow leopard population. SLC–India Radhika Kothari Baga Bogd Mountain, Mongolia

For updates on SLC–India’s accomplishments, please visit their website, launched in 2010: http://www.snowleopardhimalayas.org and their Facebook page:

In addition to the Mongolian study, a multinational team is studying the genetic diversity of snow leopards in Russia, Pakistan, China, Noninvasive Genetics Nepal, and Tajikistan.

Noninvasive genetics is emerging as an extremely useful tool, Sayan and South Gobi regions of Mongolia. Laboratory analysis especially in surveying sparsely distributed, rarely seen species. indicated 239 scats were left by snow leopards, representing at Through genetics we can learn how landscape features affect snow least 57 individuals. leopard ecology. We can locate core and isolated populations along Also this year we completed work on Phase 1 of a country- the corridors that link separate areas. Such knowledge is critical wide assessment of Mongolia’s snow leopard population. Key in predicting the effects of human actions, such as poaching and objectives of this long-term study are to map dispersal routes, grazing of livestock, and in developing effective conservation gene flow and population structure, especially within areas of initiatives at the national and regional levels. fragmented habitat. We aim to identify areas where conservation The Conservancy has been working with the Mongolian is best focused and compare this to computer-generated habitat Academy of Sciences and Jan Janecka, geneticist at Texas A&M models. Community-based conservation efforts would then be University. To date we have collected over 700 scats from the Altai- initiated in selected sites.

Annual Report 2010 / 6 Community-Based Conservation Russia Tajikistan According to researchers, as many as 120–150 snow leopards inhabit the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion, an area of notable The Conservancy provided cultural diversity positioned along the borders with China, funding for the Murgab Mongolia and Kazakhstan. However, our work suggests that Ecotourism Association (META) there are probably far fewer. to hold two training workshops. Under Phase 1 of our collaborative project with the Altai The first addressed homestay Assistance Fund, WWF–Russia, United Nations Development provision in two valleys of Program, and the Foundation for Sustainable Development of the Pamir. About twenty Altai, Rodney Jackson trained local biologists and villagers in households and representatives camera trapping in from local government the Argut Valley. and the Nature Protection The team placed Department participated. A key cameras in areas objective was the institutional reported to offer the Poster produced by META discour- strengthening of the local best habitat for snow aging hunting and sale of argali Conservation Committee. leopards in Russia, Participants developed plans but so far none linking biodiversity conservation with ecotourism to bring have been detected. socioeconomic benefits to local people. They envisioned a The surveys are system of traditional yurt Homestays, guiding services for continuing closer horseback treks, and jeep tours. META will provide overall Alexander Kuksin Alexander to the Mongolian Female snow leopard and two cubs supervision. border where the The second training addressed surveying key wildlife pop- cat’s presence has been confirmed. We will identify the best ulations, locating snow leopard sign, identifying hotspots for corridors whereby snow leopards could reoccupy the prey- Marco Polo sheep and ibex, and raising awareness regarding rich Argut River valley. This project involves local herders in the interrelationships with wildlife, livestock husbandry, and lo- camera trapping and patrolling to monitor the area’s wildlife. cal people’s welfare. Sixteen community members participated, We will support the establishment of Homestays along along with representatives from the Wildlife and National Parks the edge of national parks, which prohibit permanent human Department. habitation. In the next phase, tourists will be taken on photo- treks and offered the opportunity to take wildlife pictures using Alisho Qurboniev coordinated the following activities in the an array of remote cameras managed by the project, village community of Batchor, under the Conservancy’s second village guides, and participating tourist organizations. conservation grant: • Tourism guides were assisted with opening new adventure travel routes. • Two students are receiving English language training. • Hot spring improvements were initiated, but washed out in region wide flooding. • Brochures and posters were distributed to hotels in Khorog and tour operators in Dusanbe.

Brochure describing the Batchor program’s activities Mikhail Paltsyn Sergei Spitsyn, Aduchi, and Rodney setting a camera trap in the Argut River Valley

Annual Report 2010 / 7 Community-Based Education Nepal

Sagarmatha National Park e initiated a new education program in the Sagarmatha National Park, Win collaboration with the Buffer Zone Management Committee. The program is aimed at creating a network of young snow leopard “scouts” to promote snow leopard conservation. In August, under Som Ale’s direction, Hira K.C. coordinated a snow leopard environmental camp with seventeen students, grades 6–7, participating from the villages of Thame and Phortse. The camp was held at Namche Bazaar, the gateway town to the park. Kids visited snow leopard habitat, where they watched Himalayan tahr and other wildlife, and engaged in nature debates, essay writing, a quiz contest and wildlife drawing. (See box below.)

Students at Sagarmatha Conservation Camp

A booklet containing students’ prose, poetry and nature drawing was compiled as a way of sharing their camp experiences with their parents, teachers, fellow villagers, and students in schools across the region. Cover Inside page

Upper Mustang ema Tsering organized wildlife awareness workshops for three Pvillages prone to livestock depredation by snow leopards. Herders, students, and youth were involved. Activities were aimed at helping local people understand the relationship between an intact, healthy ecosystem and the quality of their lives. Goals were to raise awareness and solicit community support to identify snow leopard distribution patterns, assess local livestock depredation patterns, and prepare a local action plan that takes climate change and local aspirations into account.

n additional workshop addressed the empowerment of women Aherders in rangeland management; it involved all six Village Development Committees and ninety women. This was followed by planning meetings with members of the Rangeland Coordination

Subcommittee aimed at streamlining conservation activities. Tsering / SLC Pema

Annual Report 2010 / 8 Community-Based Education India Mongolia Environmental Education Resource Kit for Nomadic Nature Trunks Teachers Launched by Dalai Lama n August, Rodney and Darla met with staff of Nomadic n July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced to a large INature Conservation (NNC). NNC’s traveling trunk Igathering in the remote Nubra Valley of northern India program has been operating since 2008 in the steppe region the publication of Ri Gyancha, (“jewels of the mountain”) a of the country, and they expressed their wish to expand it to biodiversity kit for educators. Mongolia’s mountains. We have thus joined with the Denver Zoo, lead partner in this program, to support the development of materials focused on the ecology of the Altai- Sayan. ach Nomadic ENature Trunk contains lessons that address the ecology of a particular region. Lessons promote positive perceptions of nature

and the environment, Zoo / NNC Denver Dalai Lama signing Tsering Angmo’s copy increase scientific and Traveling trunks are culturally appropriate. of Ry Gyancha cultural knowledge, and Historically, information was circulated encourage environmental among these nomadic people, traveling stewardship. Activities by yak, horse, camel, and, more recently, are multi-curricular and trains and automobiles. experiential and include puppets, role play costumes and supplies, maps, posters, guidebooks, binoculars and other tools. y supporting this local program driven by Mongolian Bwomen, the Conservancy is furthering its goals of capacity-building and fostering conservation action that grows from within indigenous communities.

he kit was developed as a collaboration with Kalpavriksh, Nomadic Tthe Conservancy–USA, and Snow Leopard Conservancy– nature trunk India. It is a handbook with information on ecosystems of India, materials wild animals and plants of Ladakh, threats to Ladakh’s wild biodiversity, and local conservation actions. oth the Dalai Lama and the Chief Minister of Jammu and “The trunks ‘explode’ throughout the school with teachers BKashmir wrote forewords for this important publication. using them in many classrooms at once. Teachers have gone The Minister of State for Environment and Forests had earlier back to their schools and encouraged use of the trunks by announced the release of the kit at a national conference in Leh. training the other teachers. Some schools even expressed willingness to engage in fund raising in order to get their own small group of local educators, including program trunk.” coordinator Tsering Angmo, have been trained to A Nomadic Nature Conservation implement the program at upper primary and middle school levels.

Annual Report 2010 / 9 Community-Based Education Russia

Buryat Republic n the Buryat Republic near Lake Baikal, we discovered a school where the students have academic achievements equal to those of Istudents in large cities like Moscow. This is remarkable since they are located in such a remote part of Russia. We began the process of identifying a local coordinator with whom the Conservancy can work to engage local teachers in creating a set of interactive learning exercises based on indigenous knowledge of the ecosystem.

Rodney giving examples of education materials to Soyot teachers and students Soyot community leaders welcoming our group

Altai Republic n the Altai Republic, approximately 900 miles to the Iwest of Lake Baikal, we followed up on a 2008 meeting in San Francisco with staff of the Foundation for Sustainable Development of the Altai. Our earlier meeting had resulted in the creation of a Snow Leopard Day Festival, organized with teachers at the middle school in the town of Kosh-Agach. With art contests, traditional dances, plays and other activi- ties, the festival was highly successful. The team wanted to expand Snow Leopard Day to include nearby regions and countries. The Conservancy will be a partial sponsor of the 2011 festivities, and will cover the costs of a contingent of Soyot teachers to participate. Ivaskina Lyubov / FSDA Lyubov Ivaskina

Cultural Museum he Conservancy will provide material assistance Tto establish a Snow Leopard Awareness Corner in each of three cultural museums in the Buryat and Altai Republics. These permanent exhibits will include the need to protect ibex and marmots, important prey for snow leopards and their cubs. These museums are housed in traditional log yurts. They serve as both cultural centers and support systems to local schools, and they reach significant numbers of community members, as well as Russian and foreign tourists.

Annual Report 2010 / 10 Community-Based Education Education Outside Snow Leopard Tajikistan Range-Countries Batchor Community Grant Zoos educate the public about wild animals

hildren of the village school were invited arla continued to work with the San Francisco Zoo on the new Cfor a week long workshop, directed by DSnow Leopard Interpretive Zone, scheduled to open in spring the teacher Pulod. They helped with cleaning 2011. Visitors will find posters, keeper notes, a display of conservation the school grounds and prepared a program for tools, and a 5 minute video. Nature Celebration Day. The celebration took place on the 4th of August with participation of all the villagers. Games and songs were dedicated to Nature Day, and teams represented different species, including snow leopard, ibex and wolf. The occasion was a good opportunity to discuss conservation issues and the development of village tourism.

Informative sign at the San Francisco Zoo

New Conservation Partner Aslisho Qurboniev he San Francisco Zoo highlighted our new partnership in their TSpring, 2010, issue of “Zoo Views.”

Book Release The children’s book on which Darla Hillard consulted was released in early 2010. Snow Leopards, by Elaine Landau, is part of the series on animals of the snow and ice produced by Enslow Publishers for elementary school children.

Annual Report 2010 / 11 Behind the Scenes

Capacity-building An integral part of the Conservancy’s mission is to build the capacity of local communities and professionals to take responsibility for snow leopard conservation and to benefit from improved livelihoods rooted in environmental ethics.

Som Ale attended the 2010 Kinship Conservation Fellows Training in June–July in Bellingham, WA, which focused on the use of economic incentives as a conservation tool.

Jan Janecka trained biologists in noninvasive genetics at two new laboratories in Bhutan and Nepal.

Rodney Jackson is working closely with the Steering Committee of the Snow Leopard Network to update the Snow Leopard Survival Strategy and to increase the network’s impact.

Meetings

Rodney Jackson and Jan Janecka attended the Snow Leopard Functional Genomics Initiative meeting in San Diego Jan Janecka, our partner at Texas A&M, training technicians in genetic analytical techniques in January, hosted by Western University.

Jan Janecka gave seminars in Nepal on noninvasive genetic surveys of snow leopards to both the Center for Molecular Dynamics and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology. He was interviewed for a radio program that aired in Nepal in April.

Rodney Jackson presented a paper on snow leopard movements and habitat use in September at the conference in Ulaanbaatar, “Mongolian Wildlife: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities in 2010 and beyond.”

Scientific Papers Som Ale, Kamal Thapa, Rodney Jackson and J.L. David Smith published a paper titled, “The fate of snow leopards in and around Mt. Everest,” in Cat NEWS Vol 53, Autumn 2010.

The Journal of Mammal- ogy accepted “Comparison of noninvasive genetic and camera- trapping techniques for surveying snow leopards,” a definitive pa- per by Jan E. Janecka, Bariushaa Munkhtsog, Rodney M. Jackson, Galsandorj Naranbaatar, David P. Mallon, and William J. Murphy. The paper evaluates the effec-

Wendy Lama Wendy tiveness of these promising two Homestay guest being greeted by host techniques for identifying popu- lation size and hotspots under a Rinchen Wangchuk was senior author with Rodney cost-efficient field effort. Jackson and Wendy Brewer Lama on a paper titled, “Snow Leopards and Himalayan Homestays: Catalysts For Community-Based Conservation in Mountain Areas,” Mountain Forum Bulletin, January 2010.

Annual Report 2010 / 12 Measures of Success Ladakh Education Project Snow Leopard, Baltistan i Gyancha was presented to government and education Rofficials in Leh and Kargil Districts. The positive feed- hulam Muhammad reports that the example of Doghro back included appreciation that the material is locally focused. Gcommunity’s desire to participate in the livestock In Leh District, the officials decided to procure copies of Ri insurance program indicates that Baltistan Wildlife Conservation Gyancha for each Middle and High School, and for all Dis- & Development Organization and Snow Leopard Conservancy’s trict Primary Schools activities are making the villagers aware of conservation and next year. The CEO of motivating them to take action. Kargil District, along with the ‘Education s reported in the August 12 issue of the Guardian for All’ movement AEnvironment Network, “…such programmes only succeed (Sarva Shiksa Abhi- if the community is involved,” says Ejaz Ahmad, Deputy Director yan) invited the Snow General of the WWF–Pakistan. “Over the years,” he explains, “there Leopard Conservancy is less and less reporting of the community involved in retaliatory to conduct a teacher killing of the cats.” training in September. Twenty-three teach- n 2006, Rodney Jackson met with Ghulam Mohammad (to ers attended the train- Rodney’s left) and members of Project Snow Leopard. ing. It was very well I received, and each teacher bought a copy of the resource kit.

Communities Benefit from Ecotourism Since 2005, each Winter Quest for the Snow Leopard Project Snow Leopard has been successful. These trips are a collaboration between the Conservancy, KarmaQuest Ecotourism & Adventure Travel, and SLC–India. Such regular sightings of wild snow leopards are due to a decade of concentrated community-based effort to preserve these cats. And the sightings have Identifying individual snow leopards from camera trap images, 2006 spurred at least six other travel agencies to begin offering snow leopard trips to Ladakh. Growing enthusiasm among travelers for the chance to see a s Rodney mentioned in his Director’s letter, our Pakistan wild snow leopard has benefited local communities Apartners live in inhospitable areas. Most recently they have who increasingly change their attitudes towards a been isolated by a landslide in early 2010 that formed a lake and former adversary. cut off road access. The political situation has kept us from face- to-face contact with our It was a testament to SLC partners since 2006. Yet, that the snow leopard was their programs continue, remain strong, and are considered a lucky sighting. growing in spite of very difficult circumstances. We are inspired by such dedication and engagement. Tsering Angmo / SLC–India Snow Leopard sighting Khunjerab Village Organization Khunjerab Pakistani herder

Annual Report 2010 / 13 Support

Volunteers

With the help of our Volunteers, Snow Leopard Conservancy spent almost 90% of its The Snow Leopard Conservancy puts expenses on programs directly community-based stewardship into action and indirectly benefitting snow leopards. Volunteers donated through grass roots conservation initiatives, 1,150 hours, with a total value range-country environmental education, of over $30,000 for such services training of herders in wildlife monitoring, and as translation, graphic design, collaborative research blending traditional expertise in GIS technology and mapping, computer and website knowledge and modern science. maintenance, and fund raising. Thank you to all of our Volunteers.

Income Expense $276,211 $257,847 Grants Interest Donations G&A Fundraising Programs Donor-Partners 40.2% 0.1% & Sales 8.8% 2.7% 88.5% Your generous and ongoing 59.7% support is greatly appreciated. The Snow Leopard Conservancy could not do our work without you. Thank You!

How You Can Help

• $100 provides educational materials for a museum in Russia. • $300 funds Nomadic Trunk materials for Mongolia. • $500 co-funds Batchor Community activities in Tajikistan. • $1000 predator-proofs a community corral in Nepal.

l Matching Donations: Does your employer make Mongolian pack camels matching donations? Some donations have been matched by Bank of America, Harder + Company, and Microsoft.

Annual Report 2010 / 14 Donors 2010

$25,000 or greater Ann Howald & David Leland, Betsy Howell, Anonymous, Caroline D. Gabel, Disney Online Vladimir James, Jane Goodall Environmental Institutional Funding Partners Studios Canada–Club Penguin Magnet School, Elizabeth Jonca, Duncan Jones, Carol Klein, Morris Knutsen, Annalisa Koeman, $10,000–$24,000 Australian Himalayan Foundation & Brigadoon Laurie Kohli (in memory of Martin Towle King), Australian Himalayan Foundation, Disney Highlands Festival Jackie Kupsch, Valerie Kupsch, Renee Lagloire, Worldwide Conservation Fund, The Tapeats Juliet Lamont & Phil Price, Thomas Lance, Disney Online Studios Canada–Club Penguin Fund George & Dominique Lightbody (in memory Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund $5,000–$9,999 of Martin Towle King), Alfred Loewenstein, Cathryn & Carl Hilker, Charles & Stephanie Edwina Lu, Donna Lynch, Keith MacIntosh, MBZ Species Fund Knowles (in memory of Martin Towle Louise Maison (in memory of Martin Towle Rufford Small Grants King), Michael Piuze, Rufford Small Grants King), Sue Marek, Jean McDonald, Richard Foundation, San Francisco Zoological Society A. McDonald, MaryAnn Meyers, Microsoft, Safari West $1,000–$4,999 MissionFish, Wendy & Doug Money, Elaine San Francisco Zoological Society Driben & her Third Grade Class, Cedar Mueller, Ken & Gabrielle Adelman, Penny Andrews, Susan & Andrew Ober, Nancy O’Brien, John B. Wildcat Education & Conservation Fund The Beagle Charitable Foundation, Brigadoon Osborn, Ella O’Sullivan, Patti Packer, Du Van Highlands Festival, Crushpad, Walli Finch, Lisa Wildlife Conservation Network Pham, R. L. Pickett, Taavi Piiper, Francesca Hacker, Ian Hart & Victoria Hunter, Rodney Riolo, Pinky Roberts, James Rosen, Rita Rosen, Jackson, Craig & Pamela Jones, John & Kellie Mark Ruckh, Deborah Ryder, Ernesto & Sonya Lehr, Peter & Kris Norvig, Margorie Parker, Santos Zambrano, SaveMart Supermarkets Candace L. Quinn, Safari West, SpiritHoods/ SHARES, Nadav Shalev, Stephen Shaw, Product Blue, Linda Tabor-Beck, Jan Warz, Wild Raymond R. Simmons, Peter Slaymaker, Evan Cat Education and Conservation Fund Smith, Michael Smith, St. Anne’s Primary $500–$999 School, Christine Stewart, William Syms, Amy Bank of America Matching Grants, Georges Tao, Gladys S. Thacher, Linda Thompson, Ellen Barth, Hiroko Crispin, Stuart During & Yoshiko Throop, Chris Tromberg, Ivan Tsurikov, Kerry Kurihara, Pawel & Lou Fludzinski, Inge A. Turner, John Tyler, Janice Ure, Chris and Gfroerer, Michael Hackett & David Hale, Liz Tina Van Wolbeck, Nancy Venturelli, Charles Luster/OnShore Foundation, Kent & Gloria Villarubia, Julie M. Walton, Sandra Welch, Marshall, Meyers Charitable Family Fund (in Mark Whitney, Janet Williams (in honor of honor of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Meyers, Mr. & Mrs. Penny Andrews’ two clouded leopards and two Peter Reynolds, Ms. Anne Halstel, and Mr. Wells snow leopards), Lisa Williams–TLC By Design, Whitney), Johanna Muench, Sibylle Noras, Donna Wilson, Norma Winner, Carol K. Wixson Joyce L. Robinson, Marie Scarpa & Jon Long, (in honor of Ellen & Bill Throop anniversary), Erin & Barry Sharaf, Victoria Stack, StoneRiver Gerald C. Yates Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, Douglas Strauss & Alicia

Falsetto, Ed & Sally Supplee, Torchlight Cellars, Donations of Art and Equipment Review The Half Moon Bay / © Lars Hewlett Angela Vella-Hazard, John & Cathy Yee BeeBusyOutdoors.com, camera donation for SF Emma Evenari mounted an exhibition of her snow Up to $499 Zoo interpretive zone leopard art at a gallery in Half Moon Bay to satisfy Acalanes High School Environmental Artist Val Warner (ValWarner.com) the community service requirement of her middle Club, David Anderson, Douglas Anderson, school. She donated her $405 proceeds to the Anonymous, Ann Armour, Beth Aviv, Beverly Fred Hood Photography (FelidFoto.com) Conservancy. K. Baker, Betsy Ballenger & Chris Beale Steve Ferguson of Urban Island, Antonia (in honor of friends), Robin Barack, Linda DeMatto, and Sue Marek for Clement Arts & Barton, Anne Bernstein, Randall Biehler, Rona Crafts show in Alameda Birenbaum, Barbara Blywise, Emma Bonacich, Louis Borelli, Cars4Causes, Donnarae Castillo, Maureen Chambers, Daniel & Patricia Chase, Donations of Professional Services Susan & Curtis Combs, Cheryl Cope, Fred Robert Freeman for computer maintenance Coppotelli, Carolyn Corrie, Kerstin Dautenhahn & C. Nehaniv, Antonia DeMatto, Katrinna Charleen Gavette for expertise in GIS technology Dodge, Zoe Doms, Doug & Pat Donaldson, and mapping Wynne & Mark Dubovoy, David Eisenhuth, Tom & Mary Herrmann for graphic design Anne Elliott, Brian Elliott, Brian Erdmann, Gail & Emma Evenari, Helen Farr, Ronald Felzer, Terrell Hillard for Conservancy website Michael Freedman & Cathy Ching, Jan & Codel maintenance Frydendahl, Jennifer Gerstin, Patricia Gillespie, Alice Nyhan for Russian translation Holly & Phil Glanville, Gay Goforth & Larry Hill, Susan Goodman, Thomas Goodrich & Robert J. Wilson for support on 501(c)(3) Rebecca Patton, GoodSearch, Jeffrey Hamrick, application Special thanks to Charles Knowles and the Uma Harano, Linda Harden, Harder + Company, staff & volunteers of the Wildlife Conservation James Harrington, Brooke Harris, Craig Hartley, Network. The annual WCN Expo honors Brian Head, Nancy Helmers & Leslie Ellison, conservationists and highlights the need for Tom & Mary Herrmann, Dena Hollingsworth, conservation funding.

Annual Report 2010 / 15 Snow Leopard Conservancy 18030 Comstock Avenue Sonoma, CA 95476 Phone (707) 935-3851 Fax (707) 933-9816 www.SnowLeopardConservancy.org

US Headquarters Mongolia Irbis Mongolia Rodney Jackson, Ph.D., Hood Fred Founder-Executive Director Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Darla Hillard, Program Officer Institute of Biology Nomadic Nature Conservation Joyce Robinson, Administration Follow us on Facebook

Regional Conservation Associate Nepal International Centre for Integrated Som Ale, Ph.D., Conservation Mountain Development and Twitter Director National Trust for Nature Conservation/Annapurna Board of Directors Conservation Area Program Caroline Gabel, Chair WWF–Nepal Rodney Jackson, President Sign up for our e-news Christen Wemmer, Vice–President Pakistan [email protected] (Put “newsletter” in the subject line.) John Yee, Chief Financial Officer Baltistan Wildlife Conservation & Development Organization/ Mary Herrmann, Secretary Project Snow Leopard, Hushey Follow the Snow Leopard Conservancy Blog Village Conservation Committee http://snowleopardcons.livejournal.com/ Advisory Board Khunjerab Village Organization Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten, Ph.D., Russia The following business partners donated IUCN Cat Specialist Group Altai Alliance: a portion of proceeds to Snow Leopard Don Hunter, Ph.D., Founder, Altai Assistance Project Conservancy. Rocky Mountain Cat Conservancy The Altai Project Click on logo for link 8 Arkhar NGO Nandita Jain, Ph.D., Specialist in Foundation for Sustainable Cars4Causes Environment and Development Development of Altai Kristin Nowell, Director, WWF–Russia Cat Action Treasury Camille Richard, Rangeland GoodSearch & GoodShop Ecologist Tajikistan Batchor Community George Schaller, Ph.D., Panthera Mountain Societies Development MissionFish Mike Weddle, Former Science Support Programme Instructor, Jane Goodall Murgab Ecotourism Association Environmental Magnet School Nature Protection Team Bob Wilson, Treasurer, Farallones SHARES Marine Sanctuary Association United States-based Collaborators Denver Zoo 2010 Country Partners SpiritHoods The Mountain Institute India Snow Leopard Network Kalpavriksh Snow Leopard Trust Kangchendzonga Conservation Torchlight Cellars Committee, Sikkim Texas A&M University Snow Leopard Conservancy–India Worldwide Indigenous Science Network WWF–India Wholly Goat

All photos by Snow Leopard Conservancy unless credited otherwise. Cover photo: Alexander Kuksin. Printed on 30% recycled envirocopy paper with 100% recyclable ink. 12-Apr-2011

Annual Report 2010 / 16