2.2 Survey design for snow leopard DNA sampling
The study area of this project was selected based on the potential
habitat of snow leopard, as outlined by WWF Nepal (2009). The
altitudinal range of the study was chosen between 3000 and 5400m (using
a 1:50000 topographic map), consistent with the range both snow leopard
and Naur have been detected across the Nepal Himalaya (Jackson &
Hunter, 1996).
The target study area included all suitable snow leopard habitat within
the KCA. However, due to the immensity of this area, the steep terrain
and numerous cliffs, it was not possible to cover all suitable habitat.
Snow leopards are difficult to detect directly and are a wide-ranging
species with an estimated annual home range of 1031.6
km2 for males and 470 km2 for female
in the KCA (KCA, 2019). These estimates are significantly higher than
home range estimates in other regions of Nepal such as the Longu valley
and Manang (12 to 39 km2; Oli, 1997; Jackson &
Ahlborn, 1989) but comparable to Mongolia for females (up to 500
km2; Johansson et al., 2016; McCarthy et al., 2005).
Because of the high variation in home range estimates, numerous sampling
grids were used to divide up (each cell: 4*4 km; 16
km2; Fig. 1) potential snow leopard habitat within the
KCA. A relatively large survey cell was used to allow for areas that
might be inaccessible. Multi-stage sampling (Janecka et al., 2011) was
employed to ensure high interspersion of primary grids and more precise
sampling cells (transects). Transects (following trail segment) were
distributed within an altitudinal range of 4,195m to 4,928m in sites
that were most likely to be visited by snow leopards, especially narrow
ridgelines, cliff bases, passes, and the valley base at or immediately
adjacent to frequently scent-sprayed rocks and scrape
sites.