Few people know snow leopards and Eurasian lynx as intimately as Snow Leopard Trust Senior Scientist Dr. Örjan Johansson. Before he returned to Mongolia for spring snow leopard field work, he reflected on what these two elusive predators have in common and why the differences between them matter for conservation.
Deep in the high Himalayas, camera traps set up to track snow leopards have been quietly capturing something else as well, a cast of brilliantly colored, rarely seen birds that may be just as important to the mountain ecosystem. Researcher Adithi Rao explains what happened when curiosity led her team to take a closer look at what else was showing up in the frame
Despite the challenges 2025 threw our way, one thing is clear: snow leopard conservation is gaining momentum. From groundbreaking scientific discoveries to life-saving community programs, we reached major milestones that once seemed impossible. And none of it would have happened without your support. Read on to see what you made possible.
In the high mountains of Mongolia’s Tost Nature Reserve, our researchers have been tracking snow leopards through one of the most demanding periods of their lives: the weeks before and after females give birth. What they discovered reveals remarkable maternal behaviors and preparation.
For many women living in snow leopard habitat, these endangered cats are often viewed as a threat to their livelihoods. As the primary caretakers of livestock, they feel the loss deeply when a snow leopard kills an animal, leading to an understandably negative view of the species. But a groundbreaking program in India is rewriting that narrative.
In the mountains of Tost, Mongolia, every snow leopard mother faces the same ultimate challenge: keeping her cubs alive. Our Senior Scientist, Dr. Örjan Johansson shares how two snow leopard mothers with new litters have chosen remarkably different strategies to ensure their cubs’ survival.
In honor of World Ranger Day, we are shining the spotlight on Munkhtenger Tumursukh, a wildlife ranger from Mongolia. He was recently lauded as the Best of the Best among rangers in snow leopard habitat for 2024 in a ceremony organized by Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation. He stood shoulder to shoulder with 19 other rangers hailing from across the country, all celebrated for their service and commitment to protecting the vast natural diversity of Mongolia.
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.
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.
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.
