Snow Leopards are one of the most elusive of all the big cats in the world. Called Irbis by the Mongols. Most people will know it exists in the Himalaya, Pamir, Hindukush in Inner Asia. Actually, Mongolia has a reasonably large number of Snow Leopards (second only to China) and with its limited areas of suitable habitat, harbors the densest Snow Leopard populations in the world. In the Gobi!

The Snow Leopard Trust, have created Irbis Enterprises, which re-sells handicraft from herder families in areas where they get their livestock victmized by Snow Leopards, who naturally prey on Argali Sheep, Siberian Ibex, marmots etc rather than domestic livestock. Anyway, Snow Leopards for various reasons will also hunt on livestocks if herders let their animals to graze in Snow Leopards habitats in the mountains. As livestock numbers have increased considerably follwing the introduction to market economy into Mongolia in the early 1990s, such conflicts have subsequently increased. Nomadic Journeys have in the past done a couple of study trips for partners of the Snow Leopard Trust and this partnership is expanded in 2010, when again one specialty trip will take place. Meanwhile do have a look at the almost live photos at www.snowleopard.org and learn more about Örjan Johanssons efforts on Snow Leopard research in the field in Mongolia and elsewhere. You can buy products of Irbis Enterprises and donate to their efforts from the comfort of you computer.