Ghosts of the mountains

Snow leopards are often called the “ghosts of the mountains”. They are elusive, perfectly camouflaged, and survive against all odds in some of the harshest and most remote landscapes on Earth. I’ve spent months searching for them in the high mountains of Central Asia, and every encounter feels electric. But as magical as it is to see a snow leopard in the wild, their future is far from guaranteed.

While filming the brand-new wildlife expedition series Snow Leopards with Dan O’Neill, we explore the reality that saving these cats isn’t just about protecting a species, it’s really about working with people. In Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, I joined local researchers and herders who live alongside snow leopards every day. These communities are finding innovative ways to coexist with predators, from building predator-proof corrals that keep livestock safe at night, to running livestock insurance schemes so families don’t suffer financially when a snow leopard takes an animal, to training as rangers and researchers, turning traditional knowledge into conservation employment.

These efforts are partnerships. When local people are empowered, when their voices are heard, and their livelihoods are secure, snow leopards thrive and so do the communities.