Innovative AI-based trail cameras installed in the Gilgit-Baltistan region are transforming the narrative of human-wildlife conflict into a story of coexistence. These advanced technologies have significantly reduced snow leopard attacks on livestock, particularly in areas where conflicts were previously common.
This announcement by WWF-Pakistan coincided with International Snow Leopard Day, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
The WWF-Pakistan statement noted that human-wildlife conflict is a leading factor contributing to the decline of the snow leopard population. Historically, retaliatory killings of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) by local communities in response to livestock attacks have exacerbated the situation. Alongside poaching and habitat loss due to climate change, these threats place additional pressure on this endangered species.
WWF and LUMS installed 5 AI-based camera traps
WWF-Pakistan collaborated with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to develop and deploy five AI-based camera traps in strategically chosen locations identified by local community representatives as hotspots for snow leopard activity.
These cameras monitor the presence of snow leopards and relay real-time data to local herders, allowing them to take protective measures for their livestock. As a result, the technology has encouraged a more symbiotic relationship between local communities and snow leopards, drastically reducing the frequency of attacks.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Livestock depredation by snow leopards is a major cause of human-wildlife conflict in various valleys in three landscapes such as Karakoram-Pamir, Hindu Kush, and Himalaya in Pakistan. This existential threat has undermined conservation efforts and halted progress towards desired outcomes.”
Naqi Khan highlighted that the integration of AI technology protects snow leopards and mitigates the economic losses livestock herders face. He also noted the potential for this technology to be adapted for the conservation of other endangered species threatened by similar human-wildlife conflicts.
Threats posed to snow leopards by development projects
In a related report released in April 2024, WWF-Pakistan addressed the various threats to snow leopards and their prey populations posed by infrastructure development in GB. The report, part of the project titled “Building Ecological and Sustainable Transport/Linear Infrastructure forsSnow Leopards in the Hindu Kush Karakoram Himalaya Landscape in Pakistan” (BEAST), underscored the need to balance infrastructure development with wildlife conservation. The findings indicated that linear infrastructure projects, such as roads and railways, disrupt snow leopard habitats, impeding wildlife movement and threatening their survival.
How many snow leopards are left in the world?
While snow leopards are elusive and challenging to count, WWF research estimates that fewer than 7,000 individuals exist globally, with approximately 200 to 420 residing in the northern mountain ranges of Pakistan, including the GB region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).
This innovative approach to wildlife conservation in Gilgit-Baltistan exemplifies how technology can bridge the gap between human interests and environmental sustainability, paving the way for a future where both can thrive together.
Where do snow leopards live?
Snow leopards inhabit the high mountains of northern and central Asia, primarily in the Himalayan region. They thrive in high alpine areas, mostly above the tree line and at elevations reaching up to 18,000 feet. This majestic species can be found across 12 countries, including China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Russia, and Mongolia, showcasing their adaptability to some of the most rugged terrains on the planet.