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.
As we prepare to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, we’re reminded of our shared responsibility to protect our planet’s fragile ecosystems. This global day of observance highlights that the story of conservation is not just about the endangered snow leopard. It’s also about you and how you can be a powerful force for nature.
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.
Nestled in the wild mountains of Kyrgyzstan, a weathered cabin serves as a sanctuary where rangers protecting endangered snow leopards find themselves sharing quarters with unexpected visitors. Kubanych Jumabai, Director of our Kyrgyzstan Program and head of the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan (SLFK), our partner organization in the country, shares the magic of conservation work on nature’s frontlines.
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.
Water is essential for all life—even for cats, despite their longstanding grievance towards it! All animals rely on water—a limited resource in the more arid parts of snow leopard habitat. During our long-term research study in the Gobi Desert, we’ve encountered multiple examples of the tight connection between cats and water.
Results from China’s first large-scale assessment of snow leopard populations were recently published. Researchers estimate a population of 1,002 individuals and a density of 0.90 cats per 100 km2 within the Sanjianyuan region of Qinghai Province, reinforcing China as a crucial player in global snow leopard conservation.
Our team recently conducted a training workshop in Mongolia focused on gender inclusivity in conservation. Promoting gender equality is crucial for ensuring ethical and effective practices in conservation efforts.
