
Mustang, June 2: A comprehensive survey of snow leopards and their prey species has begun in Mustang district.
The survey is being jointly conducted by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), specifically through its area conservation office in Jomsom.
Rajesh Gupta, Head of ACAP Jomsom, informed that the study is being carried out in the high-altitude pastures, meadows, and forests of Thasang, Gharapjhong, and Baragung Muktikshetra rural municipalities. The objective is to monitor the presence of snow leopards, their prey species, and potential overlapping activities with other predators such as common leopards.
To carry out this survey, 32 camera traps have been installed at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,600 meters above sea level in potential habitats. These cameras are capable of recording both visual and audio data, making the study more effective.
According to Deepak Oli, a forest ranger at ACAP Jomsom, the camera traps have been strategically placed from Ghasa on the border between Mustang and Myagdi to Sangta, Muktinath, Jharkot, Lupra, Chhusang, Samar, Tetang, Jomsom highlands, and Batase Lekh in Marpha. The survey is planned to last 45 days, with each camera spaced approximately five kilometers apart.
This year’s study not only focuses on identifying snow leopard populations but also includes an analysis of prey species availability and overlapping territories between snow leopards and common leopards. Ranger Oli stated that the survey aims to determine the extent of habitat overlap — how far downhill snow leopards descend and how high common leopards climb.
Additionally, the condition of prey species will be closely studied, and fecal samples of snow leopards will be collected for laboratory analysis to better understand population dynamics and individual identification.
Last year, ACAP conducted similar camera trap surveys in both upper and lower Mustang. While lower Mustang was only partially covered then, this year’s efforts aim to expand and deepen the scope of the research.
ACAP also emphasized that the camera traps help monitor illegal wildlife activities such as poaching, especially during the Yarsagumba harvesting season when human activity in high-altitude pastures increases.
To support this effort, ACAP Jomsom has deployed Ranger Oli and several staff members to the field for the duration of the study. #nepal #leopard #snow #mustang