Update from our Tien Shan snow leopard expedition
“It’s a nice office you have here.” Barry’s words brought me right back to Earth as I sat sipping hot tea from my thermos. We are currently journeying back from servicing our final camera trap of the season, and I am jotting down notes while looking across the valley at giant glaciers that are normally hidden from view from our base camp. We are in raptures high up in the Jiluu-Suu (“hot water”) valley, taking it all in.
Snow leopards in groups
A big highlight this week while reviewing camera trap photos during a couple of cold, rainy days in camp, was spotting two snow leopards on a photo together! When we did a closer inspection of another camera on an adjacent ridgeline, it revealed a possible third leopard crossing the ridge alongside them. Could this be a mother with juveniles? If you were eagle-eyed enough, you might have already spotted this figure in the background of a photo from one of my previous diary entries.
Surveying in the biting cold
The weather definitely threw some challenges our way this week. The wind veered northeast, bringing biting cold air and two full days of rain to the camp. Because the snow line dropped well below our camera trap positions, we had to put servicing them on hold. We stayed low, but the weather didn’t stop us from working. We got out of camp for a final community interview and scanned the rugged north and west slopes from the valley floor. The freezing weather actually created the perfect conditions for an infrared scope brought by Christian. Thanks to that gear, we successfully sighted several ibex high up on the craggy slopes.
Car trouble
Of course, expedition life never goes entirely to plan. One of our vehicle’s fuel injectors packed it in just a few days before the end, forcing us to adapt, the vehicle had to be towed to Bishkek for repairs.
Preliminary results
Despite the hurdles, team three put in an incredible effort and achieved so much in this final group of the Tien Shan mountains:
- Surveyed 27 cells using our standard data sheets and cell survey method.
- Serviced 10 camera traps, recovered 2, and installed 1 new unit.
- Captured 7 snow leopard sightings across 5 of those camera traps.
- Recorded 2 potential poaching events.
- Conducted 4 more interviews with local community members.
Thank you!
We have packed up camp for another year. The final team members are travelling home or onwards on their travels, the raw data is heading to the scientists for review, and the work on compiling our official report begins.
A heartfelt thank you to every single expedition member who joined us this year, we truly could not do this vital conservation work without you.
Read also: First I second I third I fourth I fifth I sixth I seventh I eighth I ninth I tenth I eleventh I twelfth I thirteenth diary entry of the Tien Shan snow leopard volunteering 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.
I looked straight past the nearest one in the photo to begin with, but I guess that’s the whole idea of camo’! Amazing photos.