@misc{9225711,
  abstract     = {{As snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are vulnerable in the wild, individuals in captivity function as a backup for the wild population. However, space limitations make it difficult to keep the captive population healthy. To maintain high genetic diversity in the captive population, it is important to carefully consider breeding recommendations and the use of contraception. This study examined age-related reproductive success, the effect of contraception, and the effect of prior breeding experience. The results showed that having a litter in the last two years and female age have the highest impact on breeding success. Females that had a litter within the last two years are more likely to have a successful breeding again. This indicates that snow leopards are not that sensitive to reproductive costs. Older age of females seems to have a negative effect on breeding success. Coherent with senescence, older females are less likely to be successful at breeding than younger females. Genetically important individuals should therefore have their first litter early, so the chances of success and of breeding again are higher. As space limitations lead to the need of breeding prevention, contraception is used more often. Unfortunately, not enough data about contraception was available to get significant results. Institutions with snow leopards seem to choose separation more often than hormonal contraception, as it seems that hormonal contraception is less reversible than originally thought. However, more research and more data is needed to get a good overview of all the effects of contraception.}},
  author       = {{Boelhouwer, Merijne}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Factors affecting reproduction of Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) in captivity: age, experience, and contraception}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}