Posted on October, 02 2015

WWF-Mongolia and University of Tottori in Japan agreed to jointly conduct a genetic study on snow leopard, mountain ungulates, and predators. Under this agreement, Sc.D. Taro Sugimoto from the University of Tottori visited Mongolia to start the research work. It is a three-year research project, where researchers from two countries will work together by taking samples of scrapes and feces of snow leopard and teeth and skins of died prey species such as Argali sheep and ibex from six designated points in Jargalant Khairkhan, Bumbat Khairkhan, and Baatar Khairkhan Mountains located in a territory of Khovd aimag and Turgen Mountain, Tsagaan Shuvuut, and Khukh Serkh Strictly Protected Areas located in a territory of Uvs aimag for genetic analysis.
During the first study, the research team has recorded 333 scrapes on Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain from 16-30 August, 2015. They also took samples from carcasses of prey species. According to the researchers, they have collected quite many samples during a short period of time than those they planned. From this project, the researchers expect to know and determine the species populations, preys, survivability, and movement ranges. In addition to the data on snow leopard, the researchers expect to have comprehensive data on prey species.