This was just the second snow leopard sighting in a decade, and there were three of them. Kullu and a few young men from the village watched the three snow leopards for hours as they navigated the deep snow to a cliff above to rest for the afternoon. The village celebrated the momentous sighting with a feast. Every household brought their homemade brews and mutton dumplings to share as people sang and danced through the night. This surprised Kullu, as he had always thought the locals felt animosity towards these carnivores that preyed on their livestock. A snow leopard at a waterfall near Kibber village. Image by Prasenjeet Yadav However, our team, based at our country partner, Nature Conservation Foundation, has studied the snow leopard in this area since the late nineties. Starting with our Executive Director Charu’s work, our team has developed conservation programs designed to help Indigenous peoples and local communities coexist with snow leopards. In Spiti Valley, where Kibber is located, our strategy especially focused on increasing the population of blue sheep, the wild prey of snow leopards. Over the years, a remarkable partnership has developed between NCF, Snow Leopard Trust, and the people of Kibber to support these conservation initiatives. More than 25 men and women from the village have participated in research and conservation efforts to protect snow leopards. Over 50 research papers have been written from the research base camp, many co-authored by local community members. The conservation model pioneered in Kibber became a template for high mountain communities across Asia. By March 2021, snow leopard sightings had become too frequent to celebrate. When a BBC film crew arrived in winter 2022 to film snow leopards, they were sure of their success. In fact, local team members had deployed almost a hundred camera traps in the area to estimate the snow leopard population of their valley before filming. Women from Kibber village analyzing camera trap images of snow leopards. Image by Kesang Chunit The filming day presented a striking scene. While the village itself was quiet, the grounds beyond reminded Kullu of the celebration 15 years prior. Picnic tables were piled with colorful tea flasks, biscuits and cakes, while villagers and tourists quietly observed the elusive cats from a distance. It was a testament to how far the community had come in its relationship with these magnificent creatures. Kibber has become a model of human-carnivore coexistence. Scientific research and local knowledge have found innovative solutions to the age-old problem of livestock predation. Tourism generated by snow leopard sightings has become an additional benefit to the community. Members of Kibber Village accept the TOFT award for their well-managed tourism program. A potential threat emerged that same winter – a huge proposed solar power plant that would have taken away many of the pastures used by peoples’ livestock and the wild ungulate prey of snow leopards. Fortunately, the project was withdrawn. Yet, the community remains vigilant, understanding that such proposals might resurface. One thing remains certain: the people of Kibber Village will continue to stand together to protect their snow leopards. Their journey of conservation, collaboration and coexistence has transformed their relationship with this charismatic carnivore. You can help make coexistence with snow leopards the norm across the high mountains of Asia. Now through December 31, all gifts will be matched up to $90,000.  Photos: Noam Keydar, Prasen Yadav, Kesang Chunit & TOFT The post An Inspiring Conservation Tale from Kibber Village appeared first on Snow Leopard Trust.