ISLAMABAD/GILGIT: Artificial Intelligence- (AI) powered trail cameras, installed at key sites in Gilgit-Baltistan, are transforming human-wildlife conflict into coexistence, significantly reducing attacks by snow leopards on livestock.

The World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) said on International Snow Leopard Day that these advanced cameras had become crucial for safeguarding wildlife and local communities.

WWF-Pakistan marked the occasion at an event held in the capital by releasing a short documentary, emphasising how these innovative camera traps benefitted snow leopards, livestock, and local people.

The organisation identified human-wildlife conflict as a leading factor in the declining snow leopard population.

In the past, retaliatory killings by local communities, coupled with threats like poaching, and habitat loss driven by climate change, have endangered the species across its range in Central and South Asia.

In collaboration with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (Lums), WWF-Pakistan installed five AI-enabled camera traps in areas where livestock depredations by snow leopards were frequently reported.

These cameras detect the presence of the elusive predators and transmit data to a centralised system, alerting nearby communities.

This proactive warning system enabled residents to protect their livestock, in grazing fields and at home, significantly reducing predator attacks and fostering a more harmonious human-snow leopard relationship.

WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan highlighted the initiative’s significance, stating: “Livestock losses due to snow leopard attacks have been a major driver of human-wildlife conflict in valleys within Pakistan’s Karakoram-Pamir, Hindu Kush, and Himalayan landscapes. This initiative is essential not only to protect snow leopards but also to safeguard the livelihoods of local herders.”

Mr Khan suggested this technology could be adapted to protect other species facing similar challenges.

In April 2024, WWF-Pakistan released a report detailing the threats posed to snow leopards by infrastructure projects in GB. The report underscored the need to balance economic development with the conservation of vulnerable wildlife.

Accurate population estimates for snow leopards remain challenging due to their elusive nature, but WWF research estimated fewer than 7,000 remain globally, with around 200 to 420 residing in northern Pakistan, including the regions of GB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Jammu and Kashmir.

International Snow Leopard Day

On the other hand, Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated International Snow Leopard Day to raise awareness about snow leopards and the threats faced by the species.

The Snow Leopard Foundation and the Parks Wildlife Gilgit-Baltistan agree to continue their efforts for wildlife conservation. Besides awareness sessions held in schools across the region, including Skardu, an awareness walk at the Forest Complex Gilgit was also organised that culminated at Bab-i-Gilgit.

On the occasion, GB Wildlife Conservator Khadam Abbas said snow leopards were called ‘ghosts of mountains’ and played a key role in maintaining balance in the mountainous environment.

Due to climate change and the loss of natural habitat, the species was facing threats. Pakistan is home to 300-400 snow leopards, with 80pc of their habitat located in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Dr Hussain Ali of the Snow Leopard Foundation briefed the audience on the conservation work done by the foundation. He explained that the SLF had been working in 27 valleys across Gilgit-Baltistan, helping pastoralists through predator-proofing of corrals, livestock insurance, livestock vaccinations, and awareness programmes.

Environmentalists and experts have long warned about the steep decline in the population of snow leopards due to illegal poaching and climate change. It may be noted that many poaching cases remained unreported in the area.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2024