5 wild snow leopard cubs found thriving in secret mountain dens

Our recent discovery of 5 healthy cubs in two separate den sites in Mongolia’s Tost Mountains is another breakthrough moment for snow leopard science. Effective conservation depends on understanding the factors that drive population stability and growth. We use GPS collars and camera traps to monitor individual cats over many years, but these methods can’t capture the earliest stages of cub life. That’s why, when a rare occasion presents itself, our team conducts den visits using extreme care to minimize disturbance.

An unforgettable event at camp: The day we saw a snow leopard

Snow Leopard Trust Eco-Camps inspire school-aged children to connect with nature and support the conservation of Asia’s high mountain landscapes and wildlife. This firsthand (translated) account is from Iskenalieva, a seventh-grade student who recently attended a camp in Kyrgyzstan, who had the sighting of a lifetime!

Snow Leopard Field Chronicles: Part Two

The adventure continues from base camp in Mongolia! Our scientists and Mongolian conservation team are back with more news from their successful field expedition. Below, Senior Scientist Örjan Johansson shares his personal email updates. Then find out what each collared animal has been up to as we unlock new insights about these elusive mountain creatures.

Chasing Shadows: 40 Days at a Snow Leopard Research Camp

At Snow Leopard Trust, we’re privileged to work alongside brilliant researchers and students from around the world, each bringing unique perspectives to critical conservation challenges. Today’s post comes from Cecilia Di Bernardi, a postdoctoral researcher who joined our scientists in Mongolia for the spring field expedition.

A Surprising Conservation Tool: Livestock Vaccinations

As humanity learned the hard way from the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of disease outbreaks has been increasing for humans and animals, amplified by globalization and climate change. Improving livestock health is critical for preventing disease outbreaks in wildlife, and to help enhance the resilience of Indigenous peoples and local communities. Our partner organization in Pakistan, the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF), has successfully launched the first round of its 2025 Livestock Vaccination Campaign. This initiative is a crucial component of our community-centric conservation programs to promote coexistence with snow leopards.

The Traveling Trunk: Mongolia’s Mobile Conservation Project

Across Mongolia’s sweeping grasslands, an innovative conservation project is bringing communities closer to nature—one traveling trunk at a time. The Nomadic Trunk Project, launched in early 2024, pairs traditional Mongolian hospitality with modern conservation education to bridge the vast distances between nomadic households.

Compassionate Conservation: How one community saved a snow leopard cub from feral dogs

On January 25, 2024, the eve of India’s Republic Day, a snow leopard cub, approximately 8-9 months old, became separated from its mother and strayed into Khardong village in Ladakh, India. It soon found itself surrounded by feral dogs. The frightened cub scrambled up a sacred Stupa for protection. In the morning, villagers discovered a miniature version of the majestic snow leopard perched precariously atop a religious monument seeking refuge from the feral dog pack below.

Forensics in the Field: Wildlife CSI Training in Pakistan

Wildlife crime is a significant threat to global biodiversity, and Pakistan is no exception. Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a multi-billion-dollar industry endangering species like the vulnerable snow leopard. In Pakistan, an estimated eight snow leopards are poached annually. Yet, only a small number of these cases are reported. This highlights the urgent need for specialized training to tackle wildlife crimes. Recently, a Wildlife Crime Scene Investigation (WCSI) Training was organized in Chitra by our country team based at the Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan (SLFP), providing field staff with essential skills to collect and analyze evidence related to such offenses.