AI Technology Helps Snow Leopards

Ghosts of the Peaks: Can AI Help Snow Leopards Survive? 

High in the forbidding mountain ranges of Central and South Asia roams an elusive predator. Known more for soft purrs than aggressive growls, the snow leopard navigates the steep, rocky terrain with near-invisibility. Their thick, greyish coats, patterned with dark rosettes, provide exceptional camouflage against the alpine backdrop. This mastery of disguise earns them the name "ghosts of the mountains". Yet, despite their adaptation to some of Earth’s harshest conditions, these magnificent cats face a perilous future. Their survival hangs precariously in the balance, threatened by human activity and a changing climate. 

A Vulnerable Icon 

The snow leopard holds the status of Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Global estimates suggest a population of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals remain across their vast range. Some sources place the figure lower, between 4,000 and 6,500 individuals, while others estimate 2,710 to 3,386 mature cats. These numbers reflect significant uncertainty due to the species' elusive nature and the remote, challenging terrain they inhabit. Experts predict a potential decline of another 10% by 2040 if current trends continue. Pakistan hosts the third-largest concentration globally, with estimates varying from around 150 to 420 individuals, predominantly found in the mountainous northern regions. 

Image Credit - BBC

The Specter of Retaliation 

A major driver of the snow leopard's decline is conflict with humans. These carnivores primarily prey on wild species like blue sheep (bharal), ibex, and markhor. However, as human settlements and livestock grazing encroach further into their territory, encounters increase. Snow leopards sometimes prey on domestic animals like sheep and goats, which represent vital assets for mountain communities. This loss can be devastating for herders, often leading to retaliatory killings of the leopards. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) indicates such killings account for a significant portion of snow leopard deaths annually, possibly between 221 and 450 individuals across their range. 

An Orphan's Story 

The plight of these animals is embodied by Lovely, a snow leopard rescued twelve years ago in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan. Orphaned as a cub, Lovely received extensive human care. Tehzeeb Hussain, who looks after her, explains that this upbringing makes release impossible. Lacking the skills to hunt wild prey, Lovely would likely target domestic livestock if returned to the mountains. This act would almost certainly provoke retaliation from villagers, sealing her fate. Lovely’s situation highlights the complex challenges conservationists face in balancing the needs of wildlife and local communities. 

Harnessing Technology for Coexistence 

Seeking innovative solutions, WWF Pakistan partnered with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Together, they developed a system using artificial intelligence (AI) to mitigate human-snow leopard conflict. Solar-powered cameras equipped with AI software are strategically placed in the high-altitude terrain, often around 3,000 metres above sea level. These devices serve as an early warning system. When a camera detects a snow leopard near a village, it automatically sends SMS alerts to registered residents. This crucial warning gives herders time to secure their livestock, preventing losses and reducing the motivation for retaliatory killings. 

AI Eyes on the Mountain 

The AI software powering the cameras represents a significant technological step. Developed and refined over three years, the system learns to distinguish snow leopards from other animals and humans. Conservationist Asif Iqbal, working with WWF Pakistan, demonstrates the system's capabilities. While monitoring camera feeds, he points out recent snow leopard tracks near a deployment site, viewing them as a positive sign. The AI successfully identifies various subjects, though occasional misclassifications occur – Iqbal notes being labelled as an animal himself, possibly due to his thick fleece jacket obscuring his human form. The system captures valuable data, including rare night-time thermal images of snow leopards. 

Image Credit - BBC

Rigorous Testing in Harsh Conditions 

Deploying sophisticated technology in the extreme environment of the high Himalayas presented numerous obstacles. The development team faced a steep learning curve. Finding batteries capable of withstanding freezing winter temperatures required extensive testing. Standard power sources failed quickly in the cold. The team experimented with various energy storage solutions before identifying one robust enough for year-round operation. Protecting the equipment itself demanded careful consideration. Even the colour of the camera housings needed optimisation; initial paint choices inadvertently attracted curious animals, interfering with observations. The final design incorporates colours that minimise reflections and blend seamlessly with the surroundings. 

Environmental Challenges Persist 

The rugged mountain landscape poses continuous threats to the equipment. Sudden landslides and rockfalls are common occurrences. These events have damaged or destroyed camera installations and solar panels, necessitating repairs and replacements. Ensuring the physical security and longevity of the devices requires ongoing maintenance and adaptation. Furthermore, mobile network connectivity in these remote areas is often unreliable. While the cameras are designed to store data locally during signal outages, transmitting real-time alerts via SMS depends on network availability, which can be intermittent, especially during daylight hours when solar activity can interfere with signals. 

Overcoming Community Suspicion 

Technical hurdles were matched by social challenges. Introducing surveillance technology, even for conservation, met with initial resistance and suspicion in some communities. Villagers expressed concerns about privacy, questioning who would access the camera footage and how it might be used. Some feared the system would fail to protect either livestock or leopards effectively. Others worried about potential exploitation of the data. This mistrust manifested in acts of vandalism. Project staff discovered cut wires and found cameras deliberately obscured with blankets, clear signs of local opposition hindering the project's progress. 

Addressing Cultural Sensitivities 

Navigating local customs and cultural norms proved crucial for gaining community acceptance. The team learned that camera placement required careful consideration beyond just optimal leopard detection. In some instances, cameras inadvertently monitored paths frequently used by women. This raised significant privacy concerns within the conservative communities. Respecting cultural sensitivities, the WWF team relocated these cameras to alternative spots. Building trust also involved establishing clear protocols for data access. Some villages remain hesitant to sign agreements that restrict sharing footage, fearing it could fall into the hands of illegal poachers. Deployment in these areas awaits formal consent. 

The Herders' Perspective 

For pastoral communities, the threat of snow leopard predation is deeply personal and economic. Sitara, a herder, recounted losing six sheep in a single attack. This loss represented years of hard work wiped out instantly, leaving her family destitute. Such experiences breed scepticism about technological solutions. Sitara questioned the utility of SMS alerts, noting the unreliable mobile reception during the day when livestock often graze further afield. Losing even one animal can have severe financial repercussions for families living on the margins, making coexistence a difficult proposition without tangible benefits and reliable protection measures. 

Guardians of the Ecosystem 

Despite the challenges, conservationists emphasise the snow leopard's vital ecological role. As apex predators, they help regulate populations of wild herbivores like ibex and blue sheep. By keeping these grazer numbers in check, snow leopards prevent overgrazing of delicate alpine pastures. This ecological service indirectly benefits local communities. Healthy grasslands are essential for sustaining the domestic livestock upon which many families depend for their livelihoods. Educating communities about this crucial link is a key component of WWF's engagement strategy, fostering appreciation for the leopard's contribution to ecosystem stability. 

Image Credit - BBC

Voices of Doubt 

Not everyone in the mountain communities accepts the conservation narrative. Some herders remain unconvinced that protecting snow leopards offers sufficient benefits to outweigh the risks. They point to livestock losses as direct evidence of the leopard's negative impact. Furthermore, they argue that wild herbivores, the leopard's natural prey, also compete with domestic animals for limited grazing resources. From their perspective, the presence of both predators and wild grazers exacerbates the economic hardship faced by those reliant on animal husbandry, fuelling resentment towards conservation initiatives perceived as prioritising wildlife over human needs. 

Climate Change Escalates Tensions 

The complex relationship between humans and snow leopards is further strained by global warming. Climate change impacts mountain ecosystems disproportionately. Rising temperatures are forcing shifts in vegetation patterns, pushing forests and shrublands to higher elevations. Studies predict that up to 30% of the snow leopard's Himalayan habitat could be lost due to this upward shift of the treeline. Simultaneously, changing conditions compel farmers and herders to seek arable land and pasture at higher altitudes. This convergence inevitably increases the overlap between human settlements, livestock, and snow leopard territories, intensifying competition for space and resources. 

Increased Encounters, Increased Conflict 

The shrinking alpine zone forces snow leopards into closer proximity with human activities. This heightened interaction increases the likelihood of livestock predation. As natural prey potentially becomes scarcer or harder to access due to habitat changes, leopards may turn more frequently to domestic animals. This scenario creates a vicious cycle: increased livestock losses lead to greater economic hardship for herders, which in turn fuels more retaliatory killings. Climate change, therefore, acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing human-wildlife conflict and making conservation efforts even more challenging. Experts predict these conflicts will likely worsen without proactive mitigation strategies. 

Legal Protections and Enforcement 

National laws in all 12 snow leopard range countries, including Pakistan, offer protection to the species. In Gilgit-Baltistan, the Northern Areas Wildlife Protection Act of 1975, along with subsequent legislation like the Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife Act and Biodiversity Areas Act 2021, prohibits hunting or capturing protected animals like the snow leopard. Enforcement, however, remains a significant challenge in remote mountain regions. Despite legal frameworks, poaching and retaliatory killings persist. Authorities face difficulties in patrolling vast, inaccessible terrains and gathering sufficient evidence for prosecutions. Nonetheless, successful convictions, like the 2020 jailing of men in the Hoper Valley for killing a snow leopard and posting images online, demonstrate a growing commitment to upholding wildlife laws. 

Beyond Technology: Integrated Solutions 

The creators of the AI camera system acknowledge that technology alone cannot solve the complex issue of snow leopard conservation. The SMS alerts represent one tool within a broader strategy. WWF and its partners recognise the need for multifaceted approaches. Community engagement remains paramount, focusing on building trust, raising awareness about the leopard's ecological value, and addressing local concerns. Exploring alternative livelihood options can reduce communities' dependence on livestock, lessening the impact of predation. Improving livestock protection measures, such as predator-proof corrals and community-based insurance schemes, offers practical solutions to mitigate losses and reduce conflict. 

Image Credit - BBC

Exploring New Deterrents 

Innovation continues beyond the AI cameras. Conservationists plan to test other non-lethal methods to deter snow leopards from approaching settlements and livestock enclosures. Upcoming trials will explore the effectiveness of artificial stimuli. These may include motion-activated lights, sound-emitting devices producing noises unpleasant to leopards, and potentially even olfactory repellents using specific scents. The goal is to find humane ways to manage snow leopard movements, guiding them away from areas of high conflict risk while allowing them safe passage through their natural habitat corridors. Combining these techniques with the early warning system could provide a more robust defence for livestock. 

A Collaborative Future 

Securing a future for the "phantoms of the peaks" requires sustained commitment and collaboration. International partnerships, like the Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), unite range countries in conservation efforts. Research provides crucial data on population trends, habitat use, and threats. Community-based conservation initiatives empower local people to become stewards of their environment, fostering coexistence. Addressing the root causes of conflict, including habitat degradation and the impacts of climate change, is essential for long-term success. Protecting snow leopards means safeguarding the fragile high-mountain ecosystems they inhabit, benefiting biodiversity and human communities alike. The continued vigilance and combined efforts of scientists, conservationists, governments, and local people offer the best hope for this vulnerable species.