The snow leopard is a charismatic species but, nevertheless, is at odds with farmers across most of its range. The cat is notorious for getting into livestock pens at night and killing multiple livestock, especially sheep and goats. Furthermore, populations of mountain ungulates such as Asiatic ibex, blue sheep and Ladakh urial (all primary prey species of the snow leopard) are declining. SLC-IT conducts research to find out the extent to which the snow leopard relies on domestic livestock to satisfy its dietary needs. Livestock production is the mainstay of the economy of people in some areas of Ladakh. Therefore, people in these areas often increase the population of their livestock beyond the carrying capacity of the rangelands. Domestic livestock also compete with wild ungulates and threaten their long-term survival. They deplete the rangeland resources as well as physically displace the wild ungulates from their prime habitats. SLC-IT strives to understand these dynamics and guide conservation efforts. For this work, we collaborate with various research institutions and organizations in India as well as outside the country.
