Update from our snow leopard research in the Tien Shan mountains
Group 1 is done, with excellent results, thank you! We thought 2025 would be hard to beat, but we have made a good start thanks to the efforts of our first snow leopard research group.
Winding down
We wound down on Friday in glorious sunshine. There was housekeeping, finishing off data entry, two half-day valley surveys, packing, car checks and refuelling, relaxing and a final dinner together, accompanied by some kumiz (local fermented mare’s milk).
Preliminary results
Just before dinner, Emil presented the preliminary results of this group:
- 63 cells equalling 252 sq km surveyed – this is a new record for a single group
- snow leopard recorded by four camera traps over seven incidences
- six samples of suspected snow leopard scat collected – awaiting DNA analysis
- plenty of ibex records across most camera traps, indicating a healthy population
- rare argali herd of eight individuals recorded in remote location
- six herder interviews conducted
- local community collaboration intensified
These results speak for themselves, so thank you very much to this group 1 of intrepid expeditioners. But let’s hear from them directly…
Group 2 starts on Monday
We say good-bye to group 1 and look forward to meeting group 2 on Monday 08:00 at the Futuro.
Safe travels there or back. Thank you again. You are what makes Biosphere Expeditions what it is.
Read also: First I second I third I fourth I fifth I sixth I seventh diary entry of the Tien Shan snow leopard research project. 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.