The snow leopard, a top predator that lives in a mountainous high elevation ecosystem, is now extremely endangered. Snow leopards are fierce, elusive cats known for their solitary nature. Because of this, it is definitely a challenge for us to study and identify patterns of snow leopard behavior. But with infrared high-definition cameras we can begin to paint a clearer picture of just what it means to be a wild snow leopard.
Captive snow leopards can only be found in less than 10 zoos in China, and Jinan Paomaling Wildlife World (JPWW) is one of them. Thanks to their collaboration, the Wildlife Institute has started a one-year project in 2013 on snow leopard behavior spectrum, time budget and the relation between behavior pattern and hormone content.
Researchers from WI-BFU conducted 20-day observation periods in each season, recording the behavior of individual snow leopards for 20 hours a day. Our first survey was in the summer of 2013, then autumn, winter, mating, pregnancy, teeming and finally spring season in 2014. The spectrum of different behaviors is the first outcome of this study, and then we can calculate what changes in behavior are shown by snow leopards in different seasons. It is also possible to assess time budget and examine the influence of hormones on snow leopard behavior. Data analysis is currently underway and will be published shortly. This research will offer key findings that will increase our knowledge on the ecology and conservation of snow leopards.
Captive snow leopards can only be found in less than 10 zoos in China, and Jinan Paomaling Wildlife World (JPWW) is one of them. Thanks to their collaboration, the Wildlife Institute has started a one-year project in 2013 on snow leopard behavior spectrum, time budget and the relation between behavior pattern and hormone content.
Researchers from WI-BFU conducted 20-day observation periods in each season, recording the behavior of individual snow leopards for 20 hours a day. Our first survey was in the summer of 2013, then autumn, winter, mating, pregnancy, teeming and finally spring season in 2014. The spectrum of different behaviors is the first outcome of this study, and then we can calculate what changes in behavior are shown by snow leopards in different seasons. It is also possible to assess time budget and examine the influence of hormones on snow leopard behavior. Data analysis is currently underway and will be published shortly. This research will offer key findings that will increase our knowledge on the ecology and conservation of snow leopards.