DOI: 10.5061/dryad.2rbnzs82x
title: Data from: From shadows to data: First robust population assessment of snow leopards in Pakistan

description: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a flagship species of the greater
 Himalayan region and symbolizes the integrity of this ecological
 system. Within the greater Himalayas, Pakistan holds special significance
 as the north of the country represents a confluence of four major mountain
 ranges (Hindu Kush, Pamir, Karakoram, and Himalaya). However, robustly
 surveying and monitoring elusive, low-density species such as snow
 leopards has historically been difficult in the region. As a result, our
 understanding of the spatial patterns in density and overall population
 size of snow leopards has remained conjectural in Pakistan. This lack of
 objective information is an obstacle to realizing effective conservation
 planning for the species in Pakistan, as well as the broader ecosystem
 within which it plays a key role. This study aimed to empirically derive
 population estimates for snow leopards in Pakistan, based on extensive
 camera trapping conducted over a decade (2010 to 2019), covering about 39
 % of the species' range across four major mountain ranges in northern
 Pakistan. A total of 828 cameras were placed over 26,540 trap days,
 resulting in 4,712 photos of snow leopards obtained from 65 different
 locations. Among the 53 unique individuals identified, the majority (53 %)
 were detected only once, with an overall recapture frequency of 2.28 times
 per individual. Spatial capture-recapture (SCR) was employed for
 population and density estimation. Model selection strongly favored a
 model in which density was negatively associated with distance to the
 closest glacier and positively associated with elevation, and baseline
 encounter rates were higher in the Karakoam-Pamir region and with Reconyx
 cameras than in other regions and types of cameras. The estimated
 population size for snow leopards in Pakistan was 155 (95 % CI 100-239),
 with a mean density of 0.16 (95 % CI 0.10-0.24) animals per 100 km². This
 research provides the first robust population estimate for snow leopards
 in this region, establishing a foundation for long-term population
 monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures. We
 recommend the integration of complementary approaches, such as
 non-invasive genetic methods, to validate and refine population estimates.
description: **README: Snow Leopard Population Estimation: R Code** We have submitted
 the R scripts used in our current study on snow leopard population and
 density estimation. Two main scripts were
 utilized: **`SCR_model_fitting.R`** and **`Sensitivity_all.R`**. ·      
 **`SCR_model_fitting.R`**: This script was used to estimate snow leopard
 population size and density across the study area in Pakistan. The
 Spatially Explicit Capture–Recapture (SCR) modeling was implemented using
 the **`secr`v4.6.5** package in R. ·       **`sensitivity_all.R`**: This
 script was applied to evaluate the robustness and stability of the SCR
 model outputs. The following dataset is required for SCR modeling: ·      
 **`SL_Capture.csv`**: This CSV file contains the detection history of
 uniquely identified snow leopard individuals. A sample format of this
 capture file is provided below. | Session | IndivID | Occasion |
 DetectorID | | :------ | :------ | :------- | :--------- | | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 SL\_KNP01 | | 1 | 2 | 2 | SL\_KVO06 | | 2 | 1 | 1 | SL\_KVO09 | Session:
 each session represents a defined camera trapping period, e.g., 1, 2.
 IndivID: Uniquely identified snow leopard individual ID Occasion:
 Survey/sampling occasion within a session DetectorID: Installed camera ID
 in which animal was trapped. ***SL_Trap.csv***: This CSV file provides
 information about all installed camera traps. | DetectorID | X | Y | |
 :--------- | :------- | :------ | | SL\_KNP01 | 484619.3 | 4066813 | |
 SL\_KVO06 | 484247.7 | 4066528 | | SL\_KVO09 | 484072.6 | 4066937 |
 DetectorID: Installed camera ID. Detector_Location: *X coordinates*:
 Easting coordinate of the installed camera trap location in UTM meters. *Y
 coordinates*: Northing coordinate of the installed camera trap location in
 UTM meters. Survey_Variable: Habitat types, camera types, etc.
 **Environmental/topographic/anthropogenic variables** A range of
 environmental, topographic, and anthropogenic variables—including
 elevation, slope, terrain ruggedness, distance to the nearest glacier,
 protected area status, human population density, road network density, and
 settlements—were used in raster (.tif) format in the current analysis. All
 raster layers were standardized to the same coordinate reference system
 (UTM, meters) with identical spatial extent, projection, and resolution to
 ensure spatial consistency and compatibility in subsequent modeling.
 **Data Availability Statement:**\ Due to regulatory compliance
 requirements, we are unable to provide the full datasets referenced in
 this script. However, data formats and structures are provided to enable
 users to set up their own datasets. Researchers interested in accessing
 additional information or seeking assistance with the code may contact the
 corresponding author at **[nawazma@gmail.com](mailto:nawazma@gmail.com)**.