The strikingly beautiful but endangered snow leopard remains one of the world’s most mysterious cats. Rarely sighted, it inhabits the high mountains of Central Asia over an expansive twelve-country range.
Unfortunately, the snow leopard can come into conflict with the economic needs of the people who live in and around its habitat. These communities are largely pastoral, and snow leopards pose a threat to their livestock. When people move into the snow leopard’s traditional habitat, the big cat loses much of its traditional prey and then targets domestic stock. Snow leopards also carry valuable skins that can provide much-needed income to villagers, 40% of whom live at the poverty line.
Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) engages local people and builds on their traditional beliefs to create harmony between people and the endangered snow leopard. Its creative programs serve as a model for community-based conservation and bolster the snow leopard’s chances for survival.
Support Snow Leopards
With WCN’s 100% model, your entire gift supports the conservationists working to protect snow leopards.
Snow Leopards:
Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC)
Choose an amount to donate:
50,341
Students and Community Members
reached through SLC-supported environmental and field conservation education programs.
18,300
Livestock
Were treated or vaccinated, strengthening family livelihoods and improving animal health and welfare.
55+
Indigenous and Community Conservation Leaders
From five countries collaborate in the Land of the Snow Leopard (LOSL) network to guide Indigenous-led snow leopard protection.
Solutions in Action
Thriving Nature & Wildlife
Snow Leopard Veterinary Program
Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) and partners International Veterinary Outreach, Animal Nepal, and Mountain Spirit implemented the One-Health-One-Welfare (OHOW) program in Nepal’s Manang Valley. This initiative provided veterinary training to local professionals and wildlife officials. Over five days of animal clinics, 250 animals were treated, and 50 animal guardians received education on improved care. OHOW supports canine vaccination and sterilization campaigns to mitigate the threat of feral dogs to wildlife, livestock, and people. This comprehensive approach aims to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and animals in the region.
Thriving People
Rangewide Education Programs
SLC currently works across eight snow leopard range countries with local communities to provide locally led education programs. In Mongolia, SLC’s partners created an innovative “Nomadic Nature Trunk” program, a mobile education project that brings activity-based instruction in natural sciences and environmental conservation to rural Mongolian schools and communities. SLC’s programming engaged a total of 14,000 community members in 2024.
Supporting Conservationists
Himalayan Homestays
SLC’s Himalayan Homestays are village-based immersions that share traditional ways of life in the high Himalayas with travelers. Homestays are a prime example of eco-friendly and socially responsible tourism, providing the visitor with a once in a lifetime memory and their host a means to generate substantial income. This changes local peoples’ perceptions of the snow leopard from a pest into an asset, better alive than dead. In 2024, SLC employed a total of 23 local community members.
Quote"SLC's global partnerships are united by our shared commitment to fostering coexistence between communities and wildlife. Collaboration remains at the heart of our mission, as we prioritize diverse, equitable, and inclusive partnerships that empower local communities in protecting snow leopards and their landscapes."
Ashleigh Lutz-Nelson, Executive Director Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC)
