{"id":6654,"date":"2023-06-06T18:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T15:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/?p=6654"},"modified":"2023-06-06T18:11:02","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T15:11:02","slug":"honey-production-sweetens-snow-leopard-conservation-in-kyrgyzstan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/honey-production-sweetens-snow-leopard-conservation-in-kyrgyzstan","title":{"rendered":"Honey production sweetens snow leopard conservation in Kyrgyzstan"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"bulletpoints\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Kyrgyzstan is one of a dozen countries where snow leopards live, but its population of 300-400 of the big cats living along its highest peaks is stressed by climate change, mining, road construction, and conflict with herders, whose livestock can be tempting prey.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>A new program by two snow leopard conservation NGOs is helping herders diversify away from livestock toward beekeeping, agroecology, ecotourism and handicrafts.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Participants receive beehives and training, and help with education and research into the local snow leopard population via deployment of many camera traps, which so far suggest that the local populations of leopards and a favorite prey species, ibex, are stable or increasing.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Half of the honey profits are invested back into the program to improve beekeeping education, purchase supplies, and to fund environmental <a title=\"Call for Projects 2023\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/call-for-projects-2023\">projects<\/a> chosen by the participants.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>SHAMSHY, Kyrgyzstan \u2014 \u201cI was only 9 when I first saw a snow leopard with my father. He was a ranger bringing injured animals found in the mountains to the veterinarian,\u201d says Asanbek Sasukilov, 62, a <a title=\"National Beekeeping Policy Implementation Strategy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/national-beekeeping-policy-implementation-strategy\">beekeeper<\/a> and herder. \u201cI was sitting close to the cage. Suddenly, the snow leopard started to roar, and I ran away.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Sasukilov,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/list\/snow-leopards\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">snow leopards<\/a>\u00a0(<em>Panthera uncia<\/em>) have always been a part of his life. The same is true for those in other communities living in the area surrounding the Ala-Too mountains, in northern Kyrgyzstan. The difference is that they\u2019re now involved in big cat conservation programs being implemented by the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/snowleopard.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Snow Leopard Trust<\/a>\u00a0(SLT) and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/snowleopard.kg\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan<\/a>\u00a0(SLFK) that promote beekeeping,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/series\/agroecology\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">agroecology<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/list\/ecotourism\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">ecotourism<\/a>\u00a0as alternative livelihoods to herding, in an effort to avoid conflict with wildlife like the rare big cats.<\/p>\n<p>Here, locals have always seen snow leopards on mountaintops while herding cows or sheep. The big cats are also part of popular stories like farmer Beisheukaz Balasy\u2019s memory of a snow leopard that was filmed for a movie during the Soviet era.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268480\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-268480\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10203326\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-768x512.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10203326\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation.jpg 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10203326\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-610x407.jpg 610w\" alt=\"Beekeeper and conservationist Asanbek Sasykilov with his wife and granddaughter in their home, Shamshy, Kyrgyzstan, December 2022. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a title=\"Beekeeping for Beginners\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/beekeeping-for-beginners\">Beekeeper<\/a> and conservationist Asanbek Sasykilov (r)\u00a0 with his wife (l) and granddaughter in their home, Shamshy, Kyrgyzstan, December 2022. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Both Sasukilov and Balasy now keep\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/list\/bees\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">bees<\/a>\u00a0in Shamshy, a village of 1,000 inhabitants that\u2019s a 90-minute drive from the capital, Bishkek. Once outside the city, the gray cityscape disappears, melting into blue skies and snowy mountains. Flocks of sheep, cows and horses graze on the country roads of this border area, located a few kilometers from Kazakhstan and, further on, China, hidden behind high mountains.<\/p>\n<p>Here, on the northernmost edge of Kyrgyzstan\u2019s snow leopard habitat, nearly 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) of habitat is shared with other wildlife such as ibex, lynx, wild pigs, wolves and jackals. This is part of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/snowleopard.org\/a-first-glimpse-at-the-wildlife-of-shamshy-sanctuary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Shamshy Nature Reserve<\/a>, an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/radical-conservation\/2017\/jan\/10\/snow-leopards-shamshy-atambayev-kyrgyzstan-wildlife-poaching\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">area comanaged<\/a>\u00a0by the Kyrgyz government, local communities, and the two snow leopard NGOs. Though Shamshy was once a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2017\/08\/collateral-damage-snow-leopards-and-trophy-hunting-in-kyrgyzstan\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">hotspot for trophy hunters<\/a>, it\u2019s now a snow leopard sanctuary where the stakeholders manage projects including research, community education, ecotourism, and the training and compensation of wildlife rangers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_221659\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-221659\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/23175248\/Snow-leopard-768x512-1.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/23175248\/Snow-leopard-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/23175248\/Snow-leopard-1200x800-1.jpg 1200w\" alt=\"Snow leopard at ease in its high-mountain habitat. Image courtesy of Madhu Chetri.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow leopard at ease in its high-mountain habitat. Image courtesy of Madhu Chetri.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Hear them roar?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kyrgyzstan is the fourth most mountainous country in the world, sitting at an average elevation of 2,989 meters (9,805 feet), with a snow leopard population estimated at 300-400 individuals living along its highest peaks. The species is distributed across 12 Asian countries, from India to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and as far as Mongolia, and faces many of the same risks as other big cats globally, with its population listed as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucnredlist.org\/species\/22732\/50664030\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">vulnerable<\/a>\u00a0to extinction, and decreasing, on the IUCN Red List.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe main dangers for snow leopards are poaching, mining, roads, hunting, and competition with livestock. All of these threats will be\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2023\/03\/as-himalayas-thaw-snow-leopards-scramble-for-habitat-qa-with-bikram-shrestha\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">amplified by climate change<\/a>,\u201d Koustubh Sharma, the SLT\u2019s science and conservation director, says in an interview with Mongabay. \u201cIndeed, the <a title=\"Funding for Climate or Clean Energy Projects\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/funding-for-climate-or-clean-energy-projects-3\">climate<\/a> emergency has a double impact: snow leopards approach villages to find food, where they possibly attack livestock. On the other hand, herders are pushed high in the mountains [to find better pasture for their animals], closer to their ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>To assess and monitor snow leopard populations, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/globalsnowleopard.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program<\/a>\u00a0(GSLEP) is coordinating an effort across all of the countries where the big cat lives, in collaboration with their governments and more than 50 organizations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough some Kyrgyz regions are now well studied and the populations known, there are still many gaps,\u201d says Bastien Chaix, a science educator for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osi-panthera.org\/?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">OSI-Panthera<\/a>, which has studied snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan since 2013. \u201cSince reliable population studies using camera traps and genetic analyses are fairly recent, it is difficult to have a clear trend. Indeed, 20-30 years ago, the only <a title=\"Field practical training on primate survey methods\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/field-practical-training-on-primate-survey-methods\">methods of estimating populations consisted of a survey<\/a> of signs of presence (tracks, urine marks, scraping, scat, etc.), which gave an idea of the distribution, but not of the precise density, as is possible with modern techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to Chaix, the core of a long-term <a title=\"Science Communication Course\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/science-communication-course\">conservation strategy is based on local communities\u2019<\/a> involvement: \u201cIntegrating nature conservation with the local economy, in a mutually beneficial way, is the best way to ensure sustainability and gradually eliminate conflicts that may arise,\u201d he says. \u201cBy bringing additional income to local communities, it allows them to value wildlife and reduce their economic dependence on domestic livestock, and the problems of cohabitation with wildlife.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>See related:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2023\/03\/as-himalayas-thaw-snow-leopards-scramble-for-habitat-qa-with-bikram-shrestha\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">As Himalayas thaw, snow leopards scramble for habitat<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268513\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-268513\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/11144508\/snow-leopard-camera-trap.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/11144508\/snow-leopard-camera-trap.png 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/11144508\/snow-leopard-camera-trap-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/11144508\/snow-leopard-camera-trap-610x610.png 610w\" alt=\"A snow leopard comes in close to a camera trap. Photo courtesy of Snow Leopard Trust.\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A snow leopard comes in close to a camera trap in Kyrgyzstan. Photo courtesy of Snow Leopard Trust.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>A sweet shared business<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thus, Sasukilov and his fellow <a title=\"Beekeeping development: integration of knowledge\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/beekeeping-development-integration-of-knowledge\">beekeepers<\/a> are a crucial part of the conservation programs run by the SLT in five Kyrgyz communities. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, he worked as a gas balloon supplier. Afterward, he returned to the family businesses of livestock herding and <a title=\"California storms hit beekeepers, but honey outlook\u2019s sweet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/california-storms-hit-beekeepers-but-honey-outlooks-sweet\">beekeeping<\/a>. \u201cMy mother took care of the bees until she died at 83,\u201d he says. \u201cI still follow her and my father\u2019s legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Now Sasukilov is one of the two lead beekeepers of Shamshy: when he started he had 80 beehives, but now has just 35, having shared the rest with his two students. All of them are <a title=\"Women in the Field skills based training program \u2013 call for participants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/women-in-the-field-skills-based-training-program-call-for-participants\">trained and supported by the SLT program<\/a>, which provides 50 beehives in each village, where each farmer produces approximately 4-5 kilograms (9-11 pounds) of honey per hive, earning about 400 soms ($4.60) per kilo, or $2.10 a pound.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m aware of taking care of nature, as much as I can,\u201d Sasukilov says. \u201cI hope to get more people of the village involved as beekeepers. I know we can\u2019t completely remove livestock, they are important. I have 35 cows in my cattle shed that I sell for meat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>During the morning, he takes care of the bees, located at the corner of his organic vegetable garden among the apple <a title=\"What we owe our trees\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/what-we-owe-our-trees\">trees<\/a>. He wears the typical Kyrgyz\u00a0<em>ak-kalpak<\/em>, a white felt hat, and high boots to walk in deep snow to the apiary.<\/p>\n<p>One by one, he checks the beehives with a stethoscope, listening to ensure they\u2019re in good condition. Relying on his long experience and recent training, he doesn\u2019t open the boxes, to <a title=\"Protected and Conserved Area Fund\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/protected-and-conserved-area-fund\">protect<\/a> the pollinators from the near-zero temperature.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268481\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-268481\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10205723\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-2-768x512.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10205723\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-2.jpg 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10205723\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-2-610x407.jpg 610w\" alt=\"Asanbek Sasykilov, lead beekeeper of his community, checks the activity inside his 35 beehives with a stethoscope, to avoid exposing them to freezing air. Shamshy, Kyrgyzstan, December 2022. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Asanbek Sasykilov, lead beekeeper of his community, checks the activity inside his 35 beehives with a stethoscope, to avoid exposing them to freezing air. Shamshy, Kyrgyzstan, December 2022. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cBy giving them materials and training, we promote alternative sources of income through beekeeping, fruit and berries, agroecology production, and ecotourism,\u201d says Kubanychbek Jumabaev, director of the SLFK. \u201cIt is crucial to reduce competition with wild fauna.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"How forest loss has changed biodiversity across the globe over the last 150 years\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/how-forest-loss-has-changed-biodiversity-across-the-globe-over-the-last-150-years\">Last year<\/a>, Sasukilov produced 82 kg (181 lbs) of honey, and like all the participants in the beekeeping program, he divided the income according to the economic model managed by the SLT. First, 50% is kept by the beekeepers and their apprentices; despite sharing much of the profits, last season Sasukilov earned around 16,000 soms ($180), a farmer\u2019s average salary in the Kyrgyz countryside.<\/p>\n<p>Of the remainder, 30% is invested back into the program to improve community beekeeping activities and buy materials, and the last 20% goes to fund environmental <a title=\"Local Project Support\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/local-project-support\">projects chosen by the local<\/a> committee. Project ideas include an artificial glacier to store <a title=\"Water, Climate, and Biodiversity\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/water-climate-and-biodiversity\">water<\/a> during droughts, while others are already a reality: in Shamshy, Sasukilov and his neighbors invested the last round of honey income, around 12,000 soms ($138), to install trash bins along the snowy community roads.<\/p>\n<p>But the benefits aren\u2019t just economic. Beekeeping provides <a title=\"What is Pollination?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/what-is-pollination\">pollination<\/a> services for their orchards, mostly apple and other fruit trees. Also, using honey instead of sugar improves people\u2019s nutrition. For breakfast, honey is always on the table, usually accompanied by homemade bread, fruit, and rice with meat, all produced on the farm. On the day of Mongabay\u2019s visit, Sasukilov and his wife are eating like this with one of their grandchildren, Cholpona, 15, visiting from Bishkek.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268482\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-268482\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10215909\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-3-768x512.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10215909\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-3.jpg 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10215909\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-3-610x407.jpg 610w\" alt=\"Beishmkazy Belesy Keeybere, 68, with his grandson. He is a former ranger and now is a beekeeper involved in the Snow Leopard Trust program. Shamshy, Kyrgyzstan, December 2022. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beisheukaz Balasy, 68, with his grandson. He is a former ranger and now is a beekeeper involved in the Snow Leopard Trust program. Shamshy, Kyrgyzstan, December 2022. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>The future has leopard spots<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe consider local communities as our best allies in <a title=\"Measuring impact to improve conservation results\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/measuring-impact-to-improve-conservation-results\">conservation<\/a>. They agreed to do whatever it takes to protect biodiversity,\u201d says the SLFK\u2019s Jumabaev. \u201cRegarding the snow leopard population, we estimate a decline of their population over the past few decades, but will only be able to provide reliable estimates once the surveys are over.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, the effect of the SLT\u2019s work with the communities can still only be evaluated in the long term. \u201cWe just started to count the population thanks to the 600 camera traps installed since 2017 across Asia. Around 80 are in Kyrgyzstan, giving us the chance to photograph approximately 50 leopards,\u201d says the SLT\u2019s Sharma. \u201cWe use statistical models to estimate the population of snow leopards by assessing those animals that did not get photographed on camera traps. This method is called\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/centers\/eesc\/science\/spatial-capture-recapture-models-estimate-abundance-and-density-animal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">spatial capture-recapture<\/a>, and is one of the most effective methods to estimate the population of rare animals, as long as they can be identified as individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Another aspect of the project gives prizes for rangers for confiscating poachers\u2019 weapons, for instance. Since 2015, 80 rangers have earned prizes totaling $10,000.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe hope to continue strengthening, replicating, and scaling up our work on snow leopard <a title=\"Small Grants for Great Ape Conservation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/small-grants-for-great-ape-conservation\">conservation<\/a>, based on research, community-based conservation, education, and policy,\u201d Sharma says. \u201cWe aspire to make better scientific knowledge accessible to all [and] <a title=\"European Commission \u2014 Awareness Raising in Renewable Energy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/european-commission-awareness-raising-in-renewable-energy\">raise awareness<\/a> among citizens about nature, so that more communities take ownership of conservation issues, and in turn encourage governments to make informed decisions that prioritize conservation, rather than treating it as a hindrance to economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The program\u2019s future is focused on increasing activities such as traditional felt handicrafts, ecotourism \u2014 especially wildlife viewing \u2014 and agroecology (organic plums, currants and apples grown in an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/series\/global-agroforestry\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">agroforestry<\/a>\u00a0setting), plus improving local education and participation, starting with the communities\u2019 youths, like summer camps in the Shamshy nature reserve. The participants are dedicated 13- and 14-year-olds learning the fauna and flora, ways to set up camera traps, and how to monitor wild fauna, among other activities.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268483\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-268483\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10220812\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-4-768x512.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10220812\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-4.jpg 768w, https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/10220812\/Kyrgyz-beekeepers-do-snow-leopard-conservation-4-610x407.jpg 610w\" alt=\"Ala-Archa National Park near Shamshy is a popular daytrip for residents of the Kyrgyz capital who are interested in what ecotourism offers, and it is also home to a snow leopard population. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ala-Archa <a title=\"Botany and Ecology Field Practical Training at Saadani National Park\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/botany-and-ecology-field-practical-training-at-saadani-national-park\">National Park<\/a> near Shamshy is a popular day trip for residents of the Kyrgyz capital who are interested in what ecotourism offers, and it is also home to a snow leopard population. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIn Shamshy we can easily measure the positive results of the work of SLT following two observations,\u201d says science educator Chaix. \u201cThe populations of ibex and snow leopard are stable or even increasing. The inhabitants all know snow leopards, all know that it is an <a title=\"Endangered Species Fund\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/endangered-species-fund\">endangered species<\/a> and many already see it as a unique asset enabling them to develop their region through ecotourism. Also, there is a <a title=\"Call for Concept Notes for Regional Innovation Collaboration Projects in eastern Africa\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/call-for-concept-notes-for-regional-innovation-collaboration-projects-in-eastern-africa\">project set up in the neighboring region<\/a> of Ak Shirak based on felt handicrafts made by women, that have made it possible to value the presence of the snow leopard, and almost eliminate poaching in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Ways forest conservation can benefit local communities and wildlife\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/news\/ways-forest-conservation-can-benefit-local-communities-and-wildlife\">Local communities here seem quite aware of being on the frontlines of conservation<\/a>. \u201cTaking care of nature and animals is a priority for us,\u201d Sasukilov says. \u201cIn our village, we are convinced that you have to give to <a title=\"Whitley Fund for Nature \u2014 Whitley Awards 2023\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/uncategorized\/whitley-fund-for-nature-whitley-awards-2023\">nature \u2014<\/a> the other way, nature can\u2019t give back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kyrgyzstan is one of a dozen countries where snow leopards live, but its population of 300-400 of the big cats living along its highest peaks is stressed by climate change, mining, road construction, and conflict with herders, whose livestock can be tempting prey. A new program by two snow leopard conservation NGOs is helping herders [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6655,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6654"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6660,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6654\/revisions\/6660"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz\/ecosystems\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}