Making Leaps for Snow Leopards
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Did you know that in 2007 the Snow Leopard Trust had almost 2,000 members from around the world—as far away (from our headquarters in the United States) as Singapore and New Zealand! Each year, we work with our staff to develop budgets for their programs and projects, and also to set goals for improvements and expansions. At the beginning of the year, we are filled with hope—and lots of needs. In 2007, with your support, we were able to end the year on a great note by meeting our project commitments. In fact, in 2007, were able to increase our field spending by 58%!
What does this mean and where did your funding go? The Trust is
active in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, India, China and Pakistan—75% of prime snow
leopard habitat. We have 32 full and part time staff members and three model
programs: Snow Leopard Enterprises, Livestock Insurance Program, and
Livestock Vaccination Program. Our research projects include the first-ever
GPS radio-collaring study of snow leopards, analyzing snow leopard DNA to
estimate population size, and testing a new initiative—using trained dogs-to
help identify snow leopard scat.
In the realm of education and outreach, we are developing activities as well as school materials for children and adults to learn more about their environment. We are also working with zoos and other wildlife organizations to spread the word about the plight of snow leopards and endangered species—in 2007, our traveling zoo exhibit visited six zoos in the US, and we hosted the first-ever International Snow Leopard Day at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo.
But even more important, your support in 2007 made it possible for us to grow and improve our programs. For example, both Snow Leopard Enterprises and Livestock Insurance Program expanded to new villages, and we began a micro-credit loan program for herders in Mongolia.
In 2008, we have a lot planned—we will continue with our successful programs and push to achieve even more. We look forward to keeping you up-to-date on our progress, and how your support is making snow leopard conservation possible.