Last year, an award ceremony commemorated twenty of the best rangers from Mongolia’s snow leopard habitat. The ceremony was the first of its kind in the country and celebrated the brave accomplishments of the country’s wildlife protectors, especially community rangers whose work often goes unacknowledged. The initiative was funded by a grant from the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund of the UK Government. Boldbaatar, pictured above, was hailed as the “best of the best” among the 20 assembled rangers. He was awarded for his outstanding service in preventing and detecting illegal wildlife trade and poaching. He safeguards Tengis Shishged, a protected area in northern Mongolia’s Khuvsgul province. This protected area encompasses the taiga forest bordering Russia, also called the Red Taiga. With towering coniferous trees, this area is not a typical home for snow leopards. And yet, an adult snow leopard is said to have been detected in this region after 50 years, according to a nationwide population estimate in 2021. Researchers set up 43 camera traps in this northern area and captured photos of a single snow leopard three times. Click to view slideshow. More than snow leopards, this area is better known for its population of brown bears and is often called the Valley of Bears. Past studies suggest the area is part of the historic range for snow leopards. The lone wanderer detected on camera traps might indicate snow leopards recolonizing the Khoridol Saridag mountains after decades of mining and hunting that used to occur before this area came under the protection of rangers like Boldbaatar. Boldbaatar’s recognition comes with a remarkable list of accomplishments. In the past year, he has detected illegal hunting of wild boars, fined three individuals for trespassing and disturbing wildlife in a strictly protected area, prevented illegal fishing by tourists and extinguished an unattended wildfire hazard. Rangers go on regular patrols twice a month in their allocated area. In addition to looking out for illegal hunting or unlawful activity, they log all wildlife they encounter. Last year, Boldbaatar observed 51 species over 154 wildlife encounters during his monthly patrols in the taiga. He has spent a remarkable 197 days in the wild, including a 19-day “deep” patrol along the Russia-Mongolia border. His deep commitment, along with that of other rangers, ensures that Mongolia remains a sanctuary for snow leopards, even a lone wanderer in its most remote corner. Subscribe to our monthly E-news for more remarkable stories from the frontlines of conservation. Photo credits: Myagmar Ragchaa and Tumursukh Jal The Citizen-Ranger Wildlife Protection Program is funded by the UK Government through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. The post Guarding a Lone Wanderer In the Valley of Bears appeared first on Snow Leopard Trust.