Snow leopards are one of the most mysterious yet iconic of the wild cats. Superbly adapted to thrive in some of the harshest conditions on the planet, they live and roam in solitude across the vast and rugged mountains ranges of central Asia. Seldom observed in the wild, this rare and secretive creature has long been poorly understood. For nearly two decades Dr. Tom McCarthy has traveled to some of the most remote corners of snow leopard range to study them, identify threats to their survival, and initiate conservation programs to protect them. In this webinar he will share the snow leopard’s story – from their ecology and life history, to their precarious existence in the face of widespread poaching, to optimism brought about by successful conservation efforts. He will also share highlights from South Gobi, Mongolia, where he now leads the first-ever long-term study of the species using GPS-satellite collars, remote camera traps and other cutting-edge research techniques.
