GSLEP News
Snow leopard – symbol of the Third Pole
On 10-11 February, 2024, the Government of Uzbekistan hosted the VIII Steering Committee Meeting of the Global Snow Leopard and its Ecosystems Conservation Programme (GSLEP), in Samarkand, where the snow leopard was recognized as a symbol of climate adaptation in the...
Melis Turgunbaev: 10 years of GSLEP cooperation
The Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, His Excellency Melis Turgunbaev, addressed the participants and partners of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) on the occasion of its 10th...
A message from our Co-Chair, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources for the Royal Government of Bhutan
Dear Readers, I am delighted to extend my heartfelt welcome to the inaugural edition of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) newsletter, marking a significant milestone as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Bishkek Declaration. The...
The snow leopard is the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan
We have exciting news for all snow leopard enthusiasts and conservationists. The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Honorable Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov, has officially declared the snow leopard as the national symbol of the Kyrgyz Republic. This monumental decision...
Joint Statement Calling the World’s Attention to Climate Resilience and Snow Leopards in the Third Pole
At the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28), leaders of snow leopard range countries and international partners issued a joint statement outlining key priorities in climate change resilience and...
President of Kyrgyzstan Calls for Action to Protect Snow Leopards and Mountain Ecosystems
In 2013, under the leadership of the then-President of the Kyrgyz Republic, we helped create the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP). Since then, the Snow Leopard Trust has continued to support the Secretariat of this intergovernmental...
Asia’s leaders unite for Climate Adaptation in the Third Pole for Snow Leopards (CATS) & People
AT the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), political and conservation leaders called upon international finance organizations to commit investments for safeguarding Asia’s mountain ecosystems, glaciers,...
Analytical report on the results of the complete accounting of snow leopard in Russia in 2022.
This link provides an analytical report on the complete accounting of snow leopards in Russia in 2022. The survey was conducted in the republics of Altai, Tyva, and Buryatia with the participation of 82 people from 12 organizations. The accounting activities were...
New global alliance for improving the practice of biodiversity conservation
Award winning conservationists from 22 countries with a cumulative experience of 45 decades, working across 5 continents and oceans, have announced the creation of the new Partners Conservation Alliance with its mission to improve how biodiversity conservation is...
Sustainable economies and biodiversity conservation in snow leopard landscapes
The predominant model of development that prioritises economic growth, at the expense of the environment, has triggered a series of changes that have triggered a planetary environmental crisis and mass extinction of species. This policy advisory lays out a...
Asia’s leaders launch new programs for snow leopard conservation
“Nature knows no borders” On October 20-21, 2022, delegations from 10 of the 12 snow leopard range countries came together for the seventh steering committee meeting of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Conservation Program (GSLEP), hosted by the Government of...
The winners of the Vanishing Treasures Communication Workshop on Climate and Environment Storytelling have been selected!
The Vanishing Treasures Expert Committee has identified the list of participants for the communications workshop on climate and environment storytelling. The list includes journalists from Kyrgyzstan working in prominent Kyrgyz media outlets of photojournalism,...
Country updates 2021
The GSLEP Resolution 2020, endorsed by the snow leopard range countries identified resource mobilization, inclusive economic development, animal-human healthcare, and diseasesurveillance as priority areas. The range countries also extended their support...
Vanishing Treasures Communication Workshop Climate and Environment Storytelling
Vanishing Treasures Communication Workshop Climate and Environment Storytelling Call for applications About the communication workshop This workshop is part of UNEP’s Vanishing Treasures programme (VT) which focuses on Central Asia countries of Tajikistan and the...
Transboundary cooperation for the snow leopard and its ecosystems conservation in Central Asia
Transboundary cooperation for the snow leopard and its ecosystems conservation in Central Asia On May 31, 2022, the Global Snow Leopard and its Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) Secretariat hosted a meeting of representatives of environmental agencies of the...
How Bees and Trees Protect Snow Leopards
How Bees and Trees Protect Snow Leopards One hundred fifty honey bee hives were successfully delivered to their new homes in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Relocating the bees was a challenge, as Benazir, Snow Leopard Trust's Project Assistant, shares, “The delivery...
Key News from WWF Russia 2021
1. Breaking Barriers Read how WWF-Russia removed barbed wire at Russia-Mongolian border for free migration of snow leopard and wild ungulate. Political borders are for people. But for an animal like the snow leopard, with a home range that can be as large as 2,000...
Call for Submissions #EncounterUncia
Twitter Conference: Unusual Encounters with Snow Leopards 6,7,8 December 2021 Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Program (GSLEP) and Snow Leopard Network (SLN) in collaboration with partners will be hosting a Twitter conference on Unusual Snow Leopard Encounters. ...
6th Steering Committee Meeting of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, 22 October 2021
GSLEP with the support of international partners is pleased to host the 6th Steering Committee Meeting. The meeting will be organized using secure state-of-the-art online communications platform. This meeting will provide an opportunity to review the status of the...
Update on GEF Project “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Pamir Alay and Tien Shan Ecosystems for Snow Leopard Protection and Sustainable Community Livelihoods”
In 2020 the project contributed significantly to the implementation of national strategies in the field of biodiversity conservation and national policies on environment protection, and relevant achievements were reported to the CoEP and the Government on a quarterly...
PAWS: Preliminary estimates of Mongolia’s snow leopard population released
Mongolia releases the preliminary results of its first nation-wide snow leopard population assessment, estimating that there could be 953 (806 – 1127) adult snow leopards in the country. The Bishkek Declaration 2017, endorsed by the governments of all snow leopard...
PAWS: Status of snow leopard and prey in Himachal Pradesh
The Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department partnered with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) to conduct a three-year snow leopard and prey population survey in Himachal Pradesh, India. This survey provides the first-ever, scientifically robust...
GSLEP Steering Committee Meeting takes place on Oct 23rd 2020- Snow Leopard Day
The world is currently facing an unprecedented situation. The ongoing pandemic reminds us again about the need to care better for our natural world and local communities.
Government of Nepal Hosts GSLEP Workshop on Landscape Management Planning to Conserve the Snow Leopard
Representatives from nine snow leopard range countries gathered in Kathmandu, Nepal, for a workshop on…
International Snow Leopard Conference in Shenzhen
This September, an international snow leopard conference brought together experts, government officials and NGO representatives in Shenzhen, China…
Bishkek hosts regional technical workshop to combat illegal wildlife trade in Central Asia
Countries and International Organizations to jointly Tackle Illegal Wildlife Trade in Central Asia Central Asia’s endangered species – including the…
Snow Leopard Science Symposium: Presentations
As part of the 2017 International Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Forum in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, a symposium on science, conservation and…
Population Assessment of World’s Snow Leopards To Be Launched
Joint initiative of range countries, conservationists and academics will result in the first scientifically robust estimate of the global snow leopard…
3rd GLSEP Steering Committee Meeting to be held in Kyrgyzstan
Ministers or their nominees representing the 12 snow leopard range countries, senior government officials (GSLEP national focal points), technical…
Snow Leopard Day Panel Discussion
To mark International Snow Leopard Day, the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic und UNDP have…
Statement of Concern Regarding the Status of the Snow Leopard on the IUCN Red List
August 24-25, 2017, Bishkek We, the representatives of the Governments of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Kingdom of Bhutan, the People’s…
The Bishkek Declaration 2017: Caring For Snow Leopards and Mountains – Our Ecological Future
The draft of the Declaration was finalized by senior officials of snow leopard range countries at the Pre-Forum meeting on 3rd Aug 2017. It was…
Do You Know the Earth’s Third Pole?
Snow Leopard Habitat in Asia Holds Earth’s Largest Ice and Permafrost Store Outside of North and South Poles. Press Release, Global Snow…
International Day of Forests: Why Forests Matter to a Cat Living Above the Tree Line
Press Release, Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), March 21rd, 2017. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The snow leopard mostly dwells in the high mountains, above the tree line – but this endangered cat’s habitat…
World Wildlife Day: Anti-Poaching Heroes Honored
Press Release, March 3rd, 2017. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Seven wildlife crime law enforcement officials in Kyrgyzstan have received a Citizen Ranger Wildlife Award for their courage in the fight against illegal hunting in the country’s…
Ministers uphold their support for snow leopard conservation
All twelve snow leopard range countries attend high-level meeting in Nepal, reiterate their commitment to the objective of securing 20 snow leopard landscapes across the cat’s range by 2020. Download press release as PDF…
Press Release: GSLEP Steering Committee Meeting in Kathmandu
Press Release: GSLEP Steering Committee Meeting in Kathmandu
Global effort to save the endangered snow leopard: Ministers from snow leopard range countries discuss progress and next steps. 2nd Steering Committee Meeting of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) to be…
2nd Steering Committee Meeting to be held in Nepal
On behalf of the Government of Nepal, and in coordination with the Honorable Chair and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee, it is our pleasure to announce the 2nd Steering Committee of the Global Snow…
A Toolkit for Management Planning
Practical advice for Management Planning of conservation landscapes in snow leopard habitat To help range countries design conservation action for the 23 landscapes they have identified to be secured under the GLSEP program, the…
семинар по сбору и анализу информации для подготовки Плана управления
17 июня 2016 года в г.Каракол прошел стартовый семинар по сбору и анализу информации для подготовки Плана управления для территории Центрального Тань-Шаня. Данный семинар проходил в рамках достижения общей цели Глобальной программы по сохранению…
Kyrgyzstan: Steps Taken Toward Management Plan
A working seminar was held on June 17th in Karakol (Kyrgyzstan) on the collection and analysis of data that will inform the Management plan for the Central Tien Shan within the framework of the common goal…
Snow Leopards on the Agenda at 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation
Kyrgyz delegation joins Tiger Conservation conference in India to highlight the common challenges faces by a fellow big cat, the snow leopard. The delegation from Kyrgyzstan, led by N. Zhumaev, Deputy director of the…
Government of Nepal Hosts GSLEP Workshop on Landscape Management Planning to Conserve the Snow Leopard
A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of blist.
Catalyst Grant for Management Planning
Catalyst grants available to range countries for developing management plans of snow leopard landscapes. A catalyst grants program to support snow leopard range countries in developing management plans for GSLEP landscapes was proposed at the…
GSLEP Meeting in Paris: Climate Change Impacts on Snow Leopards and Their Habitat
The Business Recorder, December 8th, 2015 ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid has said that Pakistan was fully committed to the objective of conservation of nature and was willing to play its…
Snow Leopard and Climate Change
by Rina Saeed Khan, The Dawn, December 8th, 2015 The Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Programme held a meeting in Paris on Monday that was chaired by the federal Minister for Climate Change, Zahid Hamid….
Pakistan Committed To Conservation Of Nature: Zahid Hamid
The Business Recorder, December 8th, 2015 ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid has said that Pakistan was fully committed to the objective of conservation of nature and was willing to play its…
Second volume of Ilbirs: Newsletter of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program
Dear friends, It is our pleasure to share with you the second issue of Ilbirs-the newsletter of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program. You can download a pdf from here: Ilbirs (English)…
Spot about the ways how to save snow leopard aka Irbis population in Kazakhstan
About Spot about the ways how to save snow leopard aka Irbis population in Kazakhstan. Direction, 2d/3d animation, art direction, design: Azamat Sayfullaev Cel animation & pencil drawings: Nikolas Journoud Producer: Andrey Rasputin Production:…
Research Article: Genetically based low oxygen affinities of felid hemoglobins: lack of biochemical adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia in the snow leopard
Genetically based modifications of hemoglobin (Hb) function that increase blood–O2 affinity are hallmarks of hypoxia adaptation in vertebrates. Among mammals, felid Hbs are unusual in that they have low intrinsic O2 affinities and…
Snow Leopards rebounding in Afghanistan
KABUL: Latest pictures of the endangered Snow Leopard have emerged from the remote Wakhan Corridor in northeastern Badakhshan province of Afghanistan with estimates showing that a surprisingly robust population of possibly a hundred…
Why Do High-Altitude Snow Leopards Breathe Like Pussycats?
How these big cats thrive in low-oxygen mountain habitats is still a mystery, study says. By Carrie Arnold, National Geographic PUBLISHED August 05, 2015 The snow leopard might rule the high reaches of…
First volume of Ilbirs., newsletter of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program
Dear colleagues, We are delighted to share with you the first volume of Ilbirs., newsletter of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program. Ilbirs. in English Ilbirs. in Russian The newsletter will be…
A youngster’s appeal
Youth, I find, are generally an angry people. In adolescence, people realize that the world is an imperfect place, and they begin to concern themselves with things that seem bigger and older than…
Indigenous Cultural Practitioners Statement to Global Snow Leopard Conservation Forum
We, the indigenous cultural practitioners of the snow leopard range countries, welcome global efforts for the conservation of snow leopards and express our readiness to collaborate in the development and implementation of the comprehensive…
Poaching and illegal wildlife trade
Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) has recently led to local and global extinctions of several species such as the tiger in several parts of its range, Sumatran rhino and Pyrenean ibex. Often…
Lost, found and conserved– a snow leopard rescued by the community in Pakistan
Back in 2013, a cub, only a few months old from Khunjerab Valley, was found by members of the community. Under the assumption she was abandoned, they removed the cub from the wild…
Snow leopard conservation updates: Kyrgyzstan
Several research and conservation initiatives are being implemented in Kyrgyzstan toward achieving the goals of GSLEP program. This kind of collaboration between government agencies and non-government agencies can be replicated for future conservation…
First ever Nationwide Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) Survey in Bhutan
Seeking to develop baseline data on key species in the country, Bhutan leads the way in conducting a Nationwide Snow Leopard Survey. The population estimates conducted in the beginning of the 21st century…
Celebrating the “International Snow Leopard’s Day” in Bhutan
On November 4th, Bhutan observed its first International Snow Leopard Day. Celebrations took place at the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, Haa. The theme for 2014’s celebration was “conserving snow leopards to secure…
Snow leopard conservation updates: Afghanistan
Afghanistan has identified the Wakhan snow leopard landscape to be secured under the GSLEP program. Since 2009, more than 5,000 snow leopard pictures have been taken there on camera traps. These pictures are…
Conservation of snow leopard: Pakistan ready to work with Nepal
Pakistan is ready to work with Nepal for protection and conservation of snow leopard and its habitat in the region and elsewhere in the world. This was said by Federal Minister for Climate Change,…
Copycat? Collared Snow Leopard Tsetsen Mimics Predecessor
GPS location data show a Mongolian snow leopard tracing the paw marks of another male cat that used to live in the same mountain range. Earlier this year, a new male snow leopard…
For Communities in Pakistan, Snow Leopard Brings Prosperity
Kashif Syed has just joined our Pakistan partner organization, the Snow Leopard Foundation, as Communications Coordinator. In his first report for us, he sheds light on why live snow leopards are once again considered to…
Miller Park Zoo houses two snow leopard cubs
Love has found a way to prevail at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington with the recent birth of two female snow leopard cubs from cats Rilu and Hima, who were first introduced back…
Nepal snow leopard survey gets satellite tracking boost
Wildlife conservation experts in Nepal say they have made a significant advance by fitting a satellite collar on a second snow leopard in the Kanchenjunga Himalayan region. Despite many attempts, it is nearly two..
World Environment Day
Dear colleagues, friends and supporters! The World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June around the world every year to attract the attention of humanity to the plight of our beautiful planet and all..
Cats Caught on Cam: The Chase
Thanks to the generous support of many of you, we’ve been able to purchase urgently needed research cameras and have begun monitoring the snow leopards of Kyrgyzstan’s Sarychat area systematically last year. While…
Lessons about the snow leopard in schools of Bishkek
April 22, 2015 launched the first cycle of interactive lessons “Snow Leopard – a unique inhabitant of the mountains” for schoolchildren of Bishkek. During the lessons the students not only learn a lot…
2 poachers held with leopard skin
JAMMU, Apr 9: Police claimed to have arrested two poachers and seized 3 snow leopard skins from them in Kishtwar, today. Official reports said, on specific information District Police Kishtwar achieved a major…
Majestic images of snow leopard taken for first time in new reserve
By Olga Gertcyk Photo traps capture beauty of the big cat stalking the landscape by day and night in shadow of Altai Mountains. Majestic images of one of the world’s rarest big cats have…
20th snow leopard collared in Mongolia study
The Snow Leopard Trust has great news this week with the announcement that they have captured and collared their 20th wild snow leopard in Mongolia’s Tost Mountains, the area of their 10 year long…
Petition
The Secretariat of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program strongly condemns the acts and circumstances surrounding the repulsive photograph of a person posing with a dead snow leopard that has started…
Pakistan Climate Change Minister to head up global snow leopard program
Congratulations to the Hon. Minister for Climate Change from Pakistan Mr. Mushahid Ullah Khan, who has been elected chairman of international steering committee of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program at…
The first Steering Committee meeting of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystems Protection Program (GSLEP)
The first High level meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program was held successfully on the 19th and 20th of March 2015 near Bishkek in village Koi..
The Steering Committee from snow leopard range countries are discussing the joint efforts for implementation of the GSLEP
The Steering Committee from snow leopard range countries are discussing the joint efforts for implementation of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program. Only joint efforts can save endangered animals such as the…
Protection for snow leopards a priority for Pakistan: minister
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Senator, Mushahid Ullah Khan said here on Thursday that Pakistan is committed to joining global efforts and playing its part for protection and conservation of the endangered snow…
Climate change a big threat to snow leopard
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan has said that melting glaciers in Pakistan’s north pose a severe threat to snow leopards. The minister was talking to the media here at the Shaheed…
General guidelines for snow leopard landscape management planning
The goal of the Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Plan (GSLEP) is for the 12 range countries, with support from interested organizations, to work together to identify and secure 20 snow leopard landscapes…
Today is International Wildlife Day
Today we celebrate International Wildlife Day with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message “Getting serious about wildlife crime means enrolling the support of all sections of society involved in the production and consumption of wildlife…
The coldest season for snow leopards – how do they adapt
We are now in the coldest part of winter in the Himalayan and Central Asian mountains snow leopards call home. Let’s remind ourselves how these cats have adapted to the extreme cold (minus…
First Steering Committee Meeting to be held in Bishkek
The GSLEP steering committee, the high-level body tasked with guiding the Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Plan’s implementation, will hold its first meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on March 19th and 20th. This…