Snow leopard
The enigmatic snow leopard lives high up in the Central Asian mountain range, between 2000 and 5500 meters high. In total, it's found in twelve different countries in Asia, in some of the world's most inaccessible mountain areas. The snow leopard is also called the Ghost of the Mountains due to its elusive, solitary nature and ability to blend into its habitat. The fur is thick, the paws large and the tail long, perfect adaptations to a life in the mountains.
Photo: Snow Leopard Trust
Although the snow leopard is protected by law in all countries of range, its numbers are declining as a result of human activity. Poaching is a major threat to the snow leopard. They are hunted partly for their fur and body parts, which are used in traditional Asian medicine, but are also killed in conflicts with herders when the snow leopard sometimes attacks and kills domestic animals. The species' habitat is decreasing as humans expand their areas and climate change is expected to result in large habitat losses for the snow leopard. Today it is estimated that there are between 3500-7000 snow leopards in the wild and they are listed as Vulnerable on the international red list.
Research on this fascinating feline has been ongoing since the 1980s, but despite decades of research, knowledge of the species' ecology was very limited. This led to the organization Snow Leopard Trust starting the world's first long-term study for the species in the Tost Mountains in southern Mongolia in 2008. Thanks to the development of technology and the launch of trap cameras and GPS collars small enough for a snow leopard to wear, the answers to how a snow leopard lives and it's behaviour could now finally be found.
Anesthetizing and ID marking of a wild snow leopard. Photo: Snow Leopard Trust
What we do at Nordens Ark
Nordens Ark has a great commitment to the conservation of the snow leopard and the species had a home in the wildlife park since 1989. Nordens Ark is also responsible for the international stud book and the European breeding program for the species. The purpose of the breeding programs is to maintain a viable and genetically healthy rescue population of snow leopards in zoos around the world. Since 2010, Nordens Ark has collaborated with the Snow Leopard Trust by supporting their research project of wild snow leopards in Mongolia. The purpose of the study is to increase knowledge about the species in the wild and in some way contribute to its conservation. The study consists of three different activities; research, development of conservation work and education. Nordens Ark is part of this work partly through our support of the Snow Leopard Trust in their work and part-financing of researchers working on the study. The snow leopards have been fitted with GPS collars and their lifestyles have been tracked since 2008. The study showed that the snow leopard kills significantly more prey than previously thought, that both females and males claim territories and that they move over 44 times larger areas than previously thought . Which means that the nature reserves in the snow leopard's range are too small.
A large part of the work in Mongolia is spent talking to local shepherds. It is important to be able to understand both the snow leopard and the problem of them taking livestock. It is important to find solutions so that both parts can coexist. Examples of the measures we work with are insurance programs, protective fences at the night spots and programs for alternative incomes.
Spårstämpel av snöleopard. Photo: Snow Leopard Trust
News from the project – January 2025
In 2024, Nordens Ark’s snow leopard researcher, Gustaf Samelius, focused his work in the Tost Mountains on continuing the long-term efforts to capture and GPS-tag snow leopards, as well as monitoring individuals through camera traps. During the year, six snow leopards were tagged, bringing the total number of GPS-collared snow leopards to 42 since the project began in 2008.
Summarizing, publishing, and sharing this information with colleagues in other regions and countries is also a key part of the work in Tost. In 2024, eight scientific articles based on the research in Tost were published. Increasing knowledge among wildlife managers and biologists in Mongolia is another important aspect of the project. Over the years, the project has hosted many delegations, and thirteen students from Mongolia have completed their master's and PhD studies through the project.
Photo: Snow Leopard Trust