Update from our snow leopard project to the Tien Shan mountains
The ghost of the mountain has been kind to us. 2025 was a great season and this 2026 snow leopard project has just got off to a flying start. Two of the first four high altitude camera traps we checked yesterday have revealed snow leopards!
Hard work pays off
Thank you to the 2025 expedition team for all your efforts in putting these camera traps up there or servicing them. You did better than our own staff. We won’t mention here why two cameras did not yield photos – that would be far too embarrassing.
Great start
This is a great start. Of course it’s too early to talk about individuals etc. Also, no scat found so far. But it’s very early days.
So we let the pictures and videos speak for themselves…
Fair weather ahead, we hope
To make things even better, it’s been a glorious day today – and the forecast for the next few days looks positive too. Long may it last!
Read also: First I second I third I fourth diary entry of the Tien Shan snow leopard volunteer expedition. All Tien Shan 2026 diary entries on one page.
Author: Darran Keogh
Darran Keogh grew up in Ireland and has spent much of his adult life travelling and working in the outdoor industry. He has a degree in Outdoor Education and Geography and is a qualified Mountain Leader and an International Mountain Leader Aspirant. An adventurous spirit has taken him to explore remote areas around the world and in recent years Europe’s great mountain ranges from a base in Chamonix Valley, France. Happiest sleeping under the stars, climbing, surfing or exploring snowy mountains, he is now based in Ireland once again, with his attention turned to conservation: Darren is a member of Ireland’s Governing Body for mountaineering’s Climate action group, has another degree in studying Climate, Sustainability and Environment and is a proud member of the Biosphere Expeditions team. More about Darran.