Rare footage of wild snow leopards taken in the Tost mountain range in Mongolia’s South Gobi province shows a vibrant population of these endangered cats – including a mother with three cubs.
The Tost mountains are home to more than a dozen snow leopards. These cats are part of what may be the most studied snow leopard population in the world. The area has been the focal point of the Snow Leopard Trust’s pioneering long-term ecological study since 2008.
Thanks to research tools such as GPS collars and remote-sensor research cameras, Trust scientists have been able to observe Tost’s snow leopard population in unprecedented ways. They’ve found wild cubs in their dens. They’ve tracked and photographed cats as they migrated to neighboring mountain ranges across the steppe, and they’ve revealed fascinating population dynamics.
This research has helped convince Mongolian authorities to grant parts of Tost “Local Protected Area” status – a first step to saving this important snow leopard habitat for future generations.
Despite these efforts, led by the local community and our Mongolia team, Tost remains under threat: Various mining licenses had already been issued for the area before it was granted a minimum level of protection – and some of those have yet to expire.
This new snow leopard footage, taken in 2014, is further proof of the urgent need for better protection for Tost! Our Mongolia team currently helps lead an effort to upgrade the protection status of the area to “Nature Reserve”, a designation that would prevent any future mining activities
a map of the Tost mountain range in Mongolia’s South Gobi province
Beautiful animals! Thank you for caring for them!
That is wonderful footage. How can we help press for full protection of the area? If you wish, I would be willing to start a petition on Care2, adressing the authorities. I would need details from you, if you think it advisable. Please send me an email. Best regards, Rosemary Underhay
Thank you all for this fantastic work by these devoted people.
Fantastic footage. Such a privilege to see them.
Magnificent creatures. I will donate as I can spare a few dollars every so often.
Wonderful footage of rare and beautiful creatures in a country I have been lucky enough to have visited.
I would be interested if there is ever a tour for interested individuals who would like to visit this area. Those who are contributing to this fine organization interested in protecting the Snow Leopard might be more inclined to donate more money, time, and energy to your project if they could see it first-hand. This is only a suggestion that your staff may feel is intrusive. Thank you for requesting comments.
Thank you so much! Such beautiful creatures! They have become the focal point of my novel! It is quite amazing how that happened! check out my website http://www.joyodwyer.com Fellowship of the Snow Leopards
Amazing cats and we have to preserve their territories and protect them
There are many beatiful things in the world but these cats to me are the most beatiful. I was deeply touched when I years ago read a report by a young scientist who described how it was like to pet the cats fur. She wrote “it was like touching a cloud”. I can imagine that.