Field work snapshot: improvements made to manul camera trap network

A team of researchers from the Manul Working Group and Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan (ACBK) recently completed the upgrade and maintenance of the manul (Pallas’s cat) camera trap monitoring network in central Kazakhstan, actions that will improve accuracy of population counts, expand understanding of the cat’s behavior, and shed additional insights about the threats that they face. During field work in August and September, researchers inspected traps installed in 2023 and relocated some of them, the latter in order to understand the boundaries of manul population distribution in the central Kazakhstan upland.The team also installed new camera traps, primarily in key manul habitats that had been previously identified.

A total of 50 camera traps have been installed to date, with several more scheduled for installation by the end of the year. A considerable number of the cameras will operate for a period of five or more years to track manul population dynamics over a long period.

Apart from providing data about manul populations, the camera traps are important tools for monitoring other wildlife species. Camera traps have recorded other Red Book wildlife in Kazakhstan; including stone marten (a weasel relative) and Kazakh argali mountain sheep.  Data collected about the argali has confirmed that the number and distribution have recovered following a precipitous decline of the species in the early 2000s. Cameras in the network have also captured images of the Eurasian lynx.

Learn more about these charismatic cats

To support the camera trap network upgrade and conservation of the manul in general, Eurasian Wildlife & Peoples generated financial contributions by promoting the “Adopt a Camera” campaign and provided logistical assistance for delivery and deployment of the cameras.  You can still donate to the campaign!