Snow leopard

    The snow leopard is one of the world's most mythical and secretive predators and has existed in the mountains of Central Asia for thousands of years. Today only a few thousand individuals remain, and to save the snow leopard one is needed extensive and long-term conservation work. The Snow Leopard Trust is an organization that works with the conservation of snow leopards on several fronts - and the Kolmården Foundation has been supporting since 2008 the extensive work going on in Mongolia.

    The snow leopard is one of the world's most mythical and secretive predators and has existed in the mountains of Central Asia for thousands of years. Today only a few thousand individuals remain, and to save the snow leopard one is needed extensive and long-term conservation work.

    The Snow Leopard Trust is an organization that works with the conservation of snow leopards on several fronts - and the Kolmården Foundation has been supporting since 2008 the extensive work going on in Mongolia.

    Multiple Threats – to Both Predators and Their Prey

    The snow leopard is not only directly threatened, but also indirectly through the hunting and decline of its natural prey. Humans are simply competing with the snow leopard for food. The decline in prey species is partly due to diseases transmitted between livestock and wild animals.

    According to a 2016 report by TRAFFIC, WWF, and the Snow Leopard Trust, an estimated 220 to 450 snow leopards are killed each year in the wild — often as a result of illegal hunting. Snow leopard skeletons are sold for large sums on the black market in Asia, where they are believed to have medicinal properties.

    When natural prey becomes scarce, snow leopards turn to the livestock of local communities. In many areas, these animals are crucial to people’s survival, which means snow leopards are not always welcome. In their search for food, they risk being shot by livestock owners trying to protect their animals.

    GPS Collars Reveal the Hidden Life

    Since the start of the project, Kolmården Foundation has helped fund field studies in which snow leopards are fitted with GPS collars. The goal is to gather knowledge about birth intervals, mortality, cub survival, and movement patterns, and to estimate how many individuals live in the area. So far, 34 snow leopards have been tagged.

    In addition, automatic cameras are used along the snow leopards’ travel routes. By identifying individuals via their unique patterns, researchers can create a clearer picture of the population.

    A Nature Reserve That Protects Both Animals and People

    Thanks to the data collected through the project, local communities were able to push for the creation of a nature reserve in the Tost-Tosonbumba area, which was approved in 2016. It is Mongolia’s first reserve established specifically to protect snow leopards.

    Around 100 herder families now live within the reserve’s boundaries, able to continue their traditional lifestyle without the threat of large, landscape-altering activities like mining.

    Other efforts

    To reduce conflict between humans and predators, a number of actions are carried out within the project:

    Predator-proof fencing is installed around nighttime livestock enclosures
    Herders are trained as park rangers
    Schools participate in ecology camps with education and activities
    Women are supported through the Snow Leopard Enterprises handicraft program
    An insurance program provides financial compensation for lost livestock

    In addition, the Snow Leopard Trust also works with:

    Vaccination programs and improved livestock management
    Advanced training of rangers in anti-poaching enforcement
    Recognizing and rewarding local conservation champions who fight poaching — including an annual awards ceremony with prizes and financial support