After her cubs are born in late spring or early summer, females remain in the den for the first few days with their newborn cubs. Once this initial period is over, they start to leave the den more frequently and for longer periods. Cubs are unable to walk for the first month of life, so they spend most of their time in the den and depend entirely on their mother for everything. Our team has been fortunate to observe the denning behavior of several snow leopard females, providing us with valuable insights. However, it’s important to acknowledge that there’s still a lot we don’t know about this crucial life stage for females and their cubs.  Female snow leopard Lasya and her two cubs The map below shows the movements of a denning female known as Lasya over multiple days. We tracked her in the weeks immediately after she gave birth to new cubs. She left the den most days and likely returned daily to the den sites. (The cluster of locations just south of the den is probably because rocks obstructed the GPS signal inside the den, so the GPS only shows the last location before she enters.) This map displays Lasya’s movements back and forth from den to kills After analyzing the data from Lasya and the other denning females we have tracked, we found that they seemed more active during the day and dusk, the opposite of what we would expect of snow leopards during the summer months. That’s because these are the warmest times of the day when a non-denning snow leopard would typically rest. Denning females may stay close to their cubs during dawn and late at night because these are the coldest times of the day, and they need to keep their cubs warm. Lasya displays other habits we don’t see in males or non-denning females. Under usual conditions, after a hunt, snow leopards remain near their kill to guard their food and eat occasionally. Denning females must return to their cubs, so they travel back and forth over multiple days to finish their meal. In this instance, Lasya appears to have successfully hunted two ibexes in quick succession and ate from both kills over the next few days. We know denning females like Lasya make shorter trips than a typical snow leopard and that their movements are restricted to the den site and the surrounding area for the first months after the cubs are born. We also know that the home ranges of denning females are significantly smaller than for males and non-denning females. This makes the location of her den especially important, as she will have much less area for hunting than usual. Choosing a den in a safe area with abundant prey appears paramount for the cubs’ survival. After about 1.5-2 months, the female leaves the den and her cubs begin to follow her on shorter trips. For the first few months after they leave the den, the females stash their cubs in safe places while they hunt. When the cubs are about 4-5 months old, they follow their mom more consistently and remain with her until they are 18-22 months old. Exploring the early stages of a snow leopard’s life is extremely challenging but vital for the species’ conservation. Because we do not track cubs directly, we rely on the data we receive from their mothers to fill knowledge gaps and enhance our understanding of snow leopard ecology. These insights are crucial for developing effective conservation strategies to ensure that future generations of snow leopard cubs can thrive in their mountain habitat. You can help keep snow leopards like Lasya and her cubs safe from illegal wildlife trafficking by making a gift here.  Acknowledgments: This long-term ecological study is in collaboration with Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation in Mongolia and Snow Leopard Trust, with special thanks to the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism, the Government of Mongolia, and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences for their support We would also like to acknowledge: National Geographic Society, Acton Family Giving, Bioparc Zoo de Doue la Fontaine, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, John Ball Zoo, Kolmarden Zoo, Korkeasaari Zoo, Nordens Ark, Parco Zoo Punta Verde, Play for Nature, The Big Cat Sanctuary/Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Tulsa Zoo, Whitley Fund for Nature, Zoo Basel, Zoo Dresden, Zoo New England and the many incredible partners who have supported programs like our Long-term Ecological Study and research in Mongolia since it began in 2008. We could not do this work without you. The post Peek into the Life of a Snow Leopard Mom & Cubs appeared first on Snow Leopard Trust.

Since we started the student eco-camp program with our partner organizations across snow leopard habitat, thousands of children have stepped out of their homes and classrooms to spend up to three days with us in nature. The core tenet of these programs is to foster an appreciation for wildlife, plants and conservation through firsthand experience and learning.  So far, none of our student participants have seen the elusive snow leopard in person during the camp itself. However, living in and around snow leopard habitats, many of them have had the opportunity to have sighted this magnificent animal in the wild. In fact, some of our earliest participants have grown into conservationists and naturalists and work as part of our team!  Children gain invaluable experience studying local flora and fauna, igniting their curiosity about their region’s biodiversity. This type of environmental education is important, as these children are the future custodians of the snow leopard’s habitat, and their learnings can influence attitudes toward coexistence for snow leopards in their communities and schools. Click to view slideshow. Eco-camps are ongoing in Kyrgyzstan’s Shamshy Wildlife Sanctuary and the Besh-Aral Reserve in the Tian-Shan Mountains. 79 kids from 20 different schools, including 51 girls and 28 boys, have participated. Kubanych Jumabay, our Country Director and head of the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, is an avid photographer who always encourages students to explore nature through a camera lens. This approach can unveil overlooked wonders while providing a comfortable, familiar tool for discovery. Recently, students participated in a friendly flower photography competition. They then gathered to discuss local flora and their importance or uses. Click to view slideshow. Do you have schoolchildren in your life? If you’re looking for fun conservation-focused activities to do with them this summer, our website has resources that can help guide your own “backyard eco-camp.”   Enjoy your summer! Acknowledgments: This project is in collaboration with Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan. Special thanks also go to Woodland Park Zoo, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Acton Family Giving for supporting conservation education in Kyrgyzstan. The post Petal Power: How Photography Fosters Coexistence with Snow Leopards appeared first on Snow Leopard Trust.

View the location of the quake’s shake area and aftershocks.

A pivotal moment in the White House race.

The Rafah crossing to Egypt has been closed since Israel captured it in early May, blocking the only route out of the territory for thousands of Palestinians who desperately need medical care.

Eight years after devastating earthquakes ravaged central Italy, the reopening of a monastery is an inspiration for an area still struggling to recover.

The country’s political workings are notably opaque, but for now the president, who was until recently minister of public security, is carrying out the duties of general secretary.

Students, armed mainly with sticks, have been demonstrating for days against a quota system for government jobs they consider unfair. Dozens have died in the violence.

Companies across the world reported disruptions, citing technical issues from a cybersecurity software update.

The advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice is the first time the court has laid out its stance on the issue.