High in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, an unlikely partnership is buzzing with possibility. Some local herding families are shifting their exclusive focus on livestock to include something sweeter—one that will make a difference for the endangered snow leopard. Beekeeping.
What do honeybees have to do with snow leopards? Mountain communities have depended on grazing their animals across vast natural pastures for generations. But overgrazing is degrading the landscape, damaging the habitat that livestock, snow leopards and their prey need to survive. When livestock and wild animals compete for the same resources, it often spells trouble for both people and wildlife.
Enter the humble honeybee. By incorporating beekeeping into their livelihoods, these mountain families can diversify their income beyond just herding. Selling honey provides an additional resource that works alongside nature. Less pressure on the pastures means healthier grasslands for all.
The program is designed to benefit everyone involved. Community beekeepers contribute 20% of their honey sales to conservation efforts that protect both their livelihoods and local wildlife. This funding supports anti-poaching patrols, research cameras that monitor snow leopard populations and sustainable pasture management. In one community, rangers are even paid in liquid gold—honey serves as their salary.
Last year, seven communities in Kyrgyzstan maintained 200 beehives generating 1.75 tons of honey, and earning 40% above market rates for their snow leopard-friendly product.
The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity. By diversifying their income sources, families can improve their financial security and resilience against the impacts of climate change, such as unpredictable weather and shifting conditions. At the same time, snow leopards benefit from a healthier habitat that supports a greater population of wild prey, reducing the likelihood of livestock attacks. It’s a win-win solution that helps everyone.
This is what successful conservation looks like: families earning sustainable incomes, landscapes healing and snow leopards roaming healthy habitats.
If you’d like to sample a jar of snow leopard-friendly honey, you can bid on one in our Online Auction. But hurry, this sweet offer ends on Friday, October 24! All proceeds support our snow leopard conservation programs.
Photo credits: SLCF-Kyrgyzstan
Acknowledgements: We express our gratitude to the United Nations Environment Programme and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for making the Vanishing Treasures project possible. This effort is also co-funded by IUCN Save Our Species, Chester Zoo and Seneca Park Zoo. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Snow Leopard Trust and do not necessarily reflect the views of IUCN. Thank you to Snow Leopard Foundation of Kyrgyzstan and Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program for being key partners in this project. Huge thanks are also extended to the local communities in the Ala-Too for their participation and partnership.