Snow Leopard Trust’s India Program based at the Nature Conservation Foundation, conducted a pilot camera trap survey across two valleys in the Great Himalayan National Park in the second half of last year. Cameras were set up along a gradient from 2500 to 4500 meters in an attempt to determine the elevation range where snow leopards and common leopards overlap and potentially compete for resources.
Last week, a select group of Snow Leopard Trust staff, leaders, and board members from all over the world gathered to discuss strategies for improving global conservation practices. Fueled by a passion to make a difference for snow leopards and the people who share their habitat, we envision a world where ethical, fair and inclusive nature conservation efforts are supported and led by Indigenous peoples and local communities.
Feral dogs attacked the ibex above which took refuge in a river. After several hours of struggle, it managed to escape. Many others are not so lucky. Growing populations of feral dogs in snow leopard habitat are a rapidly emerging threat to snow leopards, livestock, and people.
The third Friday in May is Endangered Species Day. It’s a day to celebrate, learn more about and get involved in the herculean efforts to protect threatened and endangered wildlife worldwide. Since we’ve had an influx of new supporters, we’d like to share more about our ever-evolving work to protect snow leopards for future generations.
Snow Leopard Trust’s citizen-ranger program in Kyrgyzstan has been crucial in combating illegal wildlife trade. Building on this success, we are expanding the program to Mongolia and Pakistan to protect even more snow leopards across their vast habitat.
Thanks to your support of our Long-term Ecological Study, (the first of its kind for snow leopards!), we are building a more comprehensive understanding of snow leopard ecology and behavior. This vital research provides insight into the threats they face and guides conservation policies to ensure the snow leopard’s future. Today, we know more about what these endangered animals need to survive and thrive than ever before.
When we first saw Presnel on our research cameras in 2014, she was a fluffy cub trailing her mother in the wilds of Mongolia. Unexpectedly, she turned her little head to peer into the camera lens and in that moment, walked right into our hearts. Presnel is just one of many wild snow leopards you are helping us protect.
You may have seen recent international news coverage reporting that Mongolia is experiencing some of its most extreme winter weather conditions now extending into spring. Deep snow and ice have covered grazing areas, creating catastrophic challenges affecting hundreds of thousands of people and millions of livestock.
During the ongoing Women’s History Month, we’re featuring a paper by snow leopard researchers that explores the role of women in snow leopard conservation in the high mountains of Asia.
A new paper by Snow Leopard Trust scientists shows how dispersing young snow leopards can navigate and travel long distances in flat terrain in search of territories. It also reveals what triggers them to set out and how fences and linear infrastructure can disrupt their movements.
