Snow Leopard Camera Trap Thief – Tajikistan

Last year, scientists from Panthera and Flora and Fauna International placed 11 camera traps in the Zorkul region of Tajikistan’s Pamir Mountains as part of a camera trap survey that is being carried out to learn more about the conservation status and activities of snow leopards and their prey in this region. While recently retrieving stored digital images from these camera traps, Panthera’s snow leopard biologist, Nosirsho “Nosir” Kimatshoev, was shocked to find that one of the study’s camera traps had been stolen. Luckily, Panthera and FFI’s scientists had set up two camera traps at this location to capture photographs of the spot patterns on each side of passing snow leopards, and identify individual cats by these unique patterns. While reviewing film from the second camera trap, Nosir discovered a photograph revealing that the culprit was a sneaky snow leopard cub! As far as we know, this is the first documented incident of a snow leopard stealing a camera trap (and he or she has now been added to Panthera’s Most Wanted List)! Read the full story on this camera trap theft and Panthera’s work in Tajikistan and see camera trap videos and photos of snow leopards and other species in Tajikistan at bit.ly/w0Y0H3.