What Does the Snow Leopard Conservancy Do?
The Snow Leopard Conservancy is working to make it possible for snow leopards to continue to live in the mountains of central Asia, their home. We try to achieve this goal in as many ways as we can imagine. Here are three of those ways:
- We study snow leopards in the field to learn everything we can about them. At the same time, we train local wildlife biologists and conservationists so that in future they can do this work themselves. We pass what we’ve learned on to anyone who is interested, especially other scientists and students. We do this by publishing scientific papers, by participating in conferences and through speaking engagements. This website is another way we pass along what we’ve learned.
- We go to the people who live near snow leopards and learn what they need to reduce conflicts between people and cats. Then we work with them on solutions such as building and maintaining predator proof corrals to keep their animals safe from snow leopards.
- The high mountain home of snow leopards is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Because of its beauty, and because snow leopards live there, it is a place that adventurous tourists want to visit. The Snow Leopard Conservancy helps local people develop lodging for people who are traveling through snow leopard lands. Called home stays, these lodgings are rustic “bed and breakfast” accommodations where travelers can meet local people, learn about local customs, enjoy local foods, and hike with expert local guides who show them around the nearby countryside. There is always a chance the traveler will get to see a snow leopard! The money local people receive for these services helps offset snow leopard depredation and makes the snow leopards an asset rather than a liability.