Snow leopards are one of the least studied of the big
cats. In 2009, to learn about some of their most basic behaviors
and needs, the snow leopard trust continued a ground breaking
long-term study of the species in Mongolia's South
Gobi.
Throughout last year GPS radio collars were used to track the
daily movements of four incredible snow leopards, Aztai, Shonkhor,
Saikhan, and Tsagaan. Their collars transmitted over 1,400
locations through the Northstar satellite system, providing
information on how each one of these big cats move, hunt, and
interact with each other. snow leopard trust field researchers have
been able to determine that at least three of the snow leopards
have home ranges that directly overlap herder communities, making
it imperative that we continue our presence and collaboration with
those communities to ensure conservation efforts.
Through these efforts, we have been given the opportunity to get
to know each one of these incredibly unique and interesting snow
leopards. We have been provided an inside look at one of the most
mysterious creatures on the planet and as this study continues into
2010 and beyond we look forward to learning even more.
Aztai
Collared: 19 Aug 08
Weight: 80 lbs/36.5 kg
Aztai ("Lucky" in Mongolian) spends the majority of his time
patrolling his home range, making regular visits to mark the
boundaries of his territory. He has circled around the SLT base
camp many time and traveled ~120 km roundtrip in 18 days.
Tsagaan
Collared: 24 Feb 09
Weight: 90 lbs/41.5 kg
Tsagaan was named in honor of the largest Mongolian holiday of
the year, Tsagaan Tsar. About 4 or 5 years old, he has set his home
range in the Tost Mountains. In June, Tsagaan seemed to be skirting
part of the mountains north of his home range, possibly to avoid a
rival male.
Shonkhor
Collared: 21 Apr 09
Weight: 70lbs/35kg
Shonkhor ("Falcon" in Mongolian) was fitted with his GPS collar
near the nest of endangered Saker Falcons. As a young cat, Shonkhor
could help us understand how juveniles establish their home ranges.
Shonkhor travels in unusual patterns sometimes roaming back and
forth over his home range while at other times making wide circles
along the perimeter of his area.
Saikhan
Collared: 6 May 09
Weight: 67 lbs/33.8 kg
Saikhan ("Beautiful" in Mongolian) has the prettiest spot
pattern of all our identified snow leopards and appears to be
approximately two years old. Saikhan might be Shonkhor's brother, a
mystery we hope to solve using DNA analysis. Saikhan likes to come
and go from Aztai's home range and regularly travels near the SLT
research base.