What is the Natural Partnerships Program?  

Today, many zoos consider themselves active conservation organizations, committed to the survival in the wild of the animal species they house. The Natural Partnerships Program (NPP) is the Snow Leopard Trust's way of working with zoos around the world to help save the endangered snow leopard.

See the list of our NPP Partners.

Get the Program Information Packet

If your zoo might be interested in participating in the Natural Partnerships Program, please download the program information packet and signup forms (3 Mb PDF).

Please feel free to contact us with any questions about the program, or if you would like us to mail you the information packet.

Program Overview

There are many ways that zoos can be involved in the Natural Partnerships Program, including selling Snow Leopard Enterprises merchandise through their gift shops, offering joint membership agreements, hosting Snow Leopard Trust speakers, and displaying educational materials.

The signature element of the Natural Partnerships Program is the opportunity for zoos to get directly involved with the Trust's conservation programs in snow leopard range countries.

Each year, the Trust identifies some of the most innovative conservation projects in need of assistance in different snow leopard countries, and presents these to its zoo partners.  Participating zoos can then choose which project they would like to be involved with for the year and at what level they can contribute.

Projects for 2007

Kyrgyzstan - Conservation Education for Children in Snow Leopard Range
The community-based conservation programs have been extremely successful in Kyrgyzstan, growing from 11 households in just one community in 2002 to 40 households in two communities in 2005.  Last year we expanded to reach a third community near the protected areas of Osh and Naryn, doubling the snow leopard conservation efforts in Kyrgyzstan.  We are adding a wildlife education program for children participating in these communities to increase knowledge and understanding about their ecosystem, the snow leopard and the conservation needs.

Mongolia - Expanding Community-based Conservation (Snow Leopard Enterprises)
In 2006, the first outside evaluation of Snow Leopard Enterprises was completed.  The results showed that the program is extremely successful - it is increasing awareness about conservation issues, changing attitudes towards snow leopard, increasing tolerance for all predators, reducing poverty, and even imporving the social standing of women participants.  We will now expand this program to reach more women and snow leopard range in Mongolia. 

Pakistan - Large Carnivore Population Monitoring & GIS Collaring
The Trust is conducting research to determine distribution, seasonal movements, range extent, population size estimates, and habitat and food preferences of large carnivore speicies in Chitral Gol National Park.  Data will help determine the primary threats to these animals, with focus on the snow leopard.  In addition to camera traps, and monitoring of signs, the Trust will be continuing a GIS satellite collaring effort.

India - Community Managed Livestock Insurance Program Expansion
The Snow Leopard Trust in India continues to support a community-managed livestock insurance program.  This program provides reimbursement to village herders who lose livestock to snow leopards. It is managed by the village council, with each household contributing an agreed upon monthly premium. The villagers have signed a contract agreeing to not only stop the poaching of snow leopards and their prey within their region, but to help find ways to encourage the increase of the natural prey. We will expand this successful program into new communities who are eager to participate.

Zoos in Snow Leopard Conservation News!

Read about the Trust's interactive and educational traveling zoo display that promotes zoos' roles in snow leopard conservation!  Maybe this educational display could be brought to your zoo.  Contact us to see how!

You can also read about how zoos are supporting the Trust through their gift stores!  Selling Snow Leopard Enterprises merchandise in your gift store is just one of the many ways you can help conserve these endangered cats!  Contact us to learn more!