Snow Leopard Conservationist Speaks About Tost Tosunbumba National Park

On April 14, Parliament approved the proposal to form the Tost Tosunbumba National Park. The decision is a significant achievement for the continued struggle to protect the endangered snow leopard species that resides there, as well as for the global conservation effort. The new National Park status means that the area will be immune to hunting, mining and development; only traditional procedures that pose no threat to the habitat will be permitted. The UB Post interviewed Bayarjargal Agvantseeren, a key figure whose dedication and determination was crucial to this recent success, and the leader of Mongolia's Snow Leopard Conservation Fund (SLCF) and Director of the Snow Leopard Trust's (SLT) Mongolia Program.

Why did you get involved in conservation?

I have been involved in conservation since 1996, when I had an opportunity to translate for American biologist Dr Tom McCarthy in the Gobi-Altay. As part of his research on snow leopards, he wanted to find out about herder attitudes towards predators such as wolves and snow leopards. Interview findings showed that there was a stronger human wildlife conflict which needed to be explored more. This inspired me to become involved in snow leopard conservation. In 1998, we created Snow Leopard Enterprises (SLE), a program that brings economic benefit to both people and snow leopards. Since then I have been working in this field.

What provoked you to dedicate your career to snow leopard protection in particular?

Snow leopards are a magnificent species, they are elusive and mysterious. I think they are one of the beautiful gifts that mother earth has given to us, to humans, to make our lives meaningful. Unfortunately, many species today, including the snow leopard, are fighting to survive in their habitat because of our negative environmental influences. I wanted to do something that helps both us and this beautiful cat's survival. It is the reason I dedicated my career to snow leopard conservation.

How long have you been concerned with this region?

Since 2008, when we started a long term ecological study and then we learned this snow leopard habitat was being given away for mining licences. As you know, a couple weeks ago Tost Tosonbumba mountains were approved as a State Protected Area of Mongolia by Parliament. It took five years of effort to reach this goal.

I understand the area was made a Local Protected Area in 2010. Why did you feel this was not enough, and decided to strive to make it a...