Exciting news from base camp in Mongolia! Our senior scientists and Mongolian conservation team have just added two more snow leopards to our groundbreaking study. With more collared cats than all other research projects combined, we’re unlocking new insights about these elusive mountain ghosts. Witness conservation science in action through Senior Scientist Orjan Johansson’s email updates below.
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.
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.
In the northern reaches of Mongolia, where the taiga forest meets rugged borderlands, ranger Boldbaatar’s exceptional vigilance has earned him recognition among his peers. His steadfast work combating illegal hunting and safeguarding the mountain home of an isolated snow leopard demonstrates how one dedicated guardian can make a difference.
The moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here! As part of our long-term efforts to broaden our understanding of the endangered snow leopard and its prey, we’re currently monitoring three GPS-collared cats, one ibex and 14 domestic goats. We have successfully tracked a total of 42 snow leopards in the protected area of Mongolia’s Tost Mountains since 2009.
A recent study led by our team in Mongolia examined the ecological relationship between snow leopards and the Eurasian lynx. These two species share habitat across large swaths of Asia, including southern Mongolia. Despite this overlap, little is known about their interactions.
Our team in Pakistan, based at the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF), is safeguarding snow leopards and fragile high mountain ecosystems by implementing various climate adaptation interventions focused on sustainable resource management, ecological restoration and community-led conservation. These initiatives help local communities build resilience in the face of a changing climate and mitigate further damage to their shared ecosystem.
Snow Leopard Trust’s partner organization in India, Nature Conservation Foundation, recently completed a population assessment of snow leopards in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar High Altitude National Park (KHANP). This is the first assessment of its kind in this area.
Horses are integral to the livelihood and culture of herding communities who coexist with snow leopards. Last year, one of our dedicated community partners in Mongolia, Enkhburen (Buren) Nyam, experienced the loss of a foal to a snow leopard attack. Both wolves and snow leopards pose a threat to young horses.
We all love photos of playful snow leopard cubs traipsing behind mom, jumping on her and wrestling their siblings. However, these endearing scenes only emerge after months of development. Born blind and helpless, the cubs remain hidden in their den for the first few months, gradually gaining strength before venturing into the outside world. Mom must provide all their nourishment and protection during this time – no simple feat, especially when she still has to hunt for her own food. These first few months are busy for a new snow leopard mom!
