ABOUT “Saving Snow Leopards” website

Sibylle trekking Kali Gandaki, Nepal

Sibylle trekking Kali Gandaki, Nepal

 “Saving Snow Leopards” website is the most comprehensive website for information about snow leopards, including conservation, research, the experts working with these endangered cats and more. Together with many wonderful people from all over the world we provide snow leopard facts on the 12 countries where the cats live in the wild. You’ll find information on books and films about snow leopards, school projects and snow leopard facts for kids. We feature ecotourism treks that help snow leopards in their natural habitat and share magical stories by people who have been lucky to see them.

While we focus on what’s happening with these rare, elusive and endangered cats in the wild, we also keep you up to date with what’s happening in zoos worldwide. There are over 500 snow leopards in zoos and many zoos are learning about snow leopard behaviour that will help to save the species in the wild.

How you can help save snow leopards

“Saving Snow Leopards” website doesn’t raise money for snow leopards but we point you in the direction of the best conservation organisations where you can donate to help the cats living wild in the mountains and how to support education programs for villagers learning how to live with snow leopard’s instead of killing them. Help save a snow leopard today by supporting the Snow Leopard Trust,  the Snow Leopard Conservancy or Panthera Snow Leopard Program. You can also find the other organisations raising money and doing conservation work on our site’s Conservation Groups Page.

The snow leopard invites me into her lair

Sibylle at Indus river, near Hemis Ladakh, India in snow leopard habitat.

ABOUT the Founder and Publisher of “Saving Snow Leopards” website

Hi, my name’s Sibylle Noras and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I’ve been supporting snow leopard conservation for years and gone on many treks to find snow leopards in the wild. In 2011 I trekked with the Snow Leopard Conservancy – India Trust and Karma Quest in the Himalayas in winter in Ladakh India and spent a magical 8 hours watching a female snow leopard resting after a kill.

In 2010 I trekked in snow leopard habitat in Siberia, Russia. Read the “Diary  Searching for Russia’s Last Snow Leopards” here.

After many years of working in the newspaper, internet and knowledge management industries I’m now dedicated to building this the most comprehensive information source on snow leopards on the web.

In January 2012 I was also elected on to the Steering Committee of the Snow Leopard Network, the international network of over 350 biologists, researchers and conservationists fighting the life and death struggle to protect snow leopards and their habitat andsupporting village cosneravtion education. It is pleasure and privilege to work with the network at this exciting but critical time for snow leopards.

Along with my life partner I also run a small business with three self contained holiday houses providing accommodation (vacation rentals). Two are on  Australia’s Great Ocean Road, the beautiful Treetops at Wye River, and the Japanese inspired Sea Zen at Wye River.  The third is a stylish house called Alto, accommodation Richmond on the edge of downtown Melbourne city. We welcome visitors from all over the world.

"Saving Snow Leopards" website donated this beautiful limited edition print by British wildlife artist, Martin Aveling, to the Australian Himalayan Foundation fundraising dinner. It raised $1500! Well done to all bidders.

Contact -  sibylle (at) snowleopardblog (dot) com.

What just a few of our readers are saying about “Saving Snow Leopards” website.

“The information provided here is completely amazing.” Darren.

“Thank you so very, very, much. The day after you posted about the Binder Park Zoo, I saw my first Snow Leopard!! I have lived in this area for four years, and never even heard of this zoo. It is 45 miles from me! Thanks again.” Bruce.

“Actually, I came on this site because I need to do a project on an endangered animal for science class. Thank you so much for the info. It really helped me. Even though I’m only 12 and in 7th grade.. I know the snow leopard is and forever will be, my favourite wild animal.” Jennifer.

“GREAT blog! Good work! I admire what you’re doing!” Sara.

“Congratulations on an excellent blog – very informative with great photos and interesting stories. I also love the videos which show how fit, manoeuverable and elusive the Snow Leopard is. Well done! Keep up the good work.” Sami.

“This is a fascinating collection of information. Your Students page is particularly impressive. I’ll forward your URL to a few school teachers I’m in touch with.” Janet Givens.

“I am happy there are people like you who have the means and are ready to champion the cause of this beautiful cat. All the best with your great compassionate work.” Karma from Paro, Bhutan.


{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }

Glenn McColl March 30, 2009 at 3:42 am

Hi Sibylle,

Fantastic to meet you the other day at the Snow Leopard Sponsors Day at the Melbourne Zoo.

Well done on your blog also. I will certainly try and have a little more time to read through some of the articles. Some great photographs posted also on here.

Look forward to chatting further at some point.

Regards,
Glenn.

Sibylle March 30, 2009 at 11:52 am

Hi Glenn
great to meet you too. Would love to see your pics of the cubs soon.

Bettina April 7, 2009 at 4:21 am

What a wonderful hobby you have I bet you would like to have one of these cats at home….and would if it wasnt for the food bill( tashi and Tenzing)

Sibylle April 7, 2009 at 11:07 am

Hi Bettina
yes the food bill! When we visited the cubs and mum last week they were eating a chicken each for breakfast. And the grand old matriarch, Shimbu, the 20 year old girl in the enclosure next door loves goat so that’s what Howie the keeper feeds his “Shimmy” – one spoilt cat I say. Or maybe its 5 spoilt cats!
Still, they deserve it. What would the world be without snow leopards?

Sami Hisheh June 15, 2009 at 3:16 am

Hi Sibylle,

Congratulations on an excellent blog – very informative with great photos and interesting stories.

I also love the videos which show how fit, manoeuvrable and elusive the Snow Leopard is.

Well done! Keep up the good work.

Regards
Sami
PS: I like the names you have chosen for your dogs: Tenzing and Tashi ;-)

dawn shipley July 25, 2009 at 5:49 am

Great website – Is there any chance I can get up close and personal with the leapards at Melbourne Zoo so I can take some photos and sketches. I would be happy to donate any artwork for fundraising purposes. If that is not possible can you tell me when is the best time to visit the zoo – I think I can borrow a zoom lense but it would be easier if the fence was not in the way. I’m a single mum studying art at chisholm tafe and this is the only thing I can do to help. I can send you photos of my work once I get a few computer gliches sorted out. Cheers Dawn

Amber August 13, 2009 at 2:15 pm

Hello Sibylle! Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog~ it’s lovely to know that I have reached another snow leopard fanatic for once. :) You have some wonderful photos on your site, and I’m going to enjoy looking through them for some time to come! You have a very noble profession, conservation. Wish I could come visit those snow leopard cubs in Australia…

Fossil August 16, 2009 at 5:44 am

Hello Sibylle! Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog~ it's lovely to know that I have reached another snow leopard fanatic for once. :) You have some wonderful photos on your site, and I'm going to enjoy looking through them for some time to come! You have a very noble profession, conservation. Wish I could come visit those snow leopard cubs in Australia…; Hello Sibylle! Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog~ it's lovely to know that I have reached another snow leopard fanatic for once. :) You have some wonderful photos on your site, and I'm going to enjoy looking through them for some time to come! You have a very noble profession, conservation. Wish I could come visit those snow leopard cubs in Australia…;;

Craig McGill August 20, 2009 at 10:34 am

Sibylle, great blog! I was wondering if you could drop me a line please about something Snow Leopard related…

Sara Wittenberg September 26, 2009 at 8:07 pm

GREAT blog! Good work! I admire what you’re doing!

Sharon Bickford September 28, 2009 at 6:35 am

Hi Sibylle,

I have been contacted by Biosphere Expeditions as you want to chat to Australians who have been on their snow leopard expedition. If you want to get in touch with me I am more than happy to have a chat with you. Hope to hear from you soon.

lyssa hales September 28, 2009 at 10:43 pm

hi
I love snow leopards ,they are beautiful.

ClareSnow October 7, 2009 at 4:16 pm

Hi Sybille,
Snow leopards are such beautiful animals and I hope the mountains are never turned into stones of silence.
Cheers, Clare.

Dana November 25, 2009 at 12:51 am

Hi Sibylle,

I am a journalism student on the Gold Coast, Australia. I am really interested in finding out more information about the conservation of snow leopards particularly in the Altai Mountains in Russia, as well as the conservation led expeditions. If you are able to answer some questions for me please send me an email.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Regards,
Dana

Sybelle Foxcroft December 27, 2009 at 4:14 am

Hi Sibylle, What a wonderful site. Where do you live? I noticed you were at Melbourne Zoo in March 2009. I am live in Melbourne!! If you are out this way again please let me know.

What wonderful work you are doing and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

All the best
Sybelle

Sybelle Foxcroft December 27, 2009 at 4:16 am

Hi again,
You do live in Melbourne!!! I would love to catch up with you one day :) Let me know

All the best
Sybelle

Carl January 18, 2010 at 6:15 am

Hello,

I just spent some time trying to find snow leopards in Konar and Nuristan Provinces of Afghanistan. I heard a few jokes about how their claws shoot shrapnel or if you eat one you become more virile. One man told me how he heard of a cub for sale in his village, but not when I was there. Anyway the big highlight was when my friend stayed up late one night and caught a snow leopard in a night vision camera. I’m not sure what to do with it though – would you like to share the movie with people? It’s only about two minutes long.
Thanks, Carl

Janet Givens January 22, 2010 at 1:14 am

It’s wonderful to put a face to your name. This is a fascinating collection of information. Your students page is particularly impressive. I’ll forward your URL to a few school teachers I’m in touch with. Thanks for introducing me to your blog. Keep writing. Janet (from WOW)

Sibylle January 24, 2010 at 9:54 am

thanks for your kind comments, janet. glad you dropped by. Happy writing to you too, and good luck with your book.
S

Oleg Loginov February 15, 2010 at 1:54 pm

Dear Sibylle

With great interest I have got acquainted with your web site about snow leopard. This is felt that you love the nature and these amazing cat! My name is Oleg Loginov. I live in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. I’m zoologist, formerly employed at Alma-Ata zoo and the founder and director of the Snow Leopard Fund (SLF) now. In November 2009 we are registered in Kazakhstan the Snow Leopard Fund. Recently, our public fund became full member of the Snow Leopard Network.

In the January 11 this year my friend Renat Minibaev from Tekeli (Almaty region, Kazakhstan) has met the snow leopard on the Dzhungarsky Alatau and taken pictures it with 1,5 metres literally! Regrettably at this very important region no nature reservations. We co-operate with the State’s Forest and Nature Conservation Committee and at present goes the process to organizations big National Park in Dzhungarsky Alatau in the east part of this range. We also begin the work on creation the Snow Leopard Conservation’ National Strategy in Kazakhstan, need the creation of which is obvious.

Regrettably we get not financing until and so we need for support. If you will be able us in this help we you shall very grateful for this.

Hope on cooperation with you. Look forward to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, Oleg V. Loginov
Director of the Snow Leopard Fund

Karma Wangchuk March 9, 2010 at 3:50 am

Hi Sibylle,
I am a teacher by profession and of all the cats snow leopard is my favourite-being a mountain dweller I love the mountain cat. I paint and write poems on nature and wildlife though I am not trained but I am very passionate.To see snow leopard in the wild is extremely difficult and some naturalists have spent life time following in the footsteps of this magnificent cat. I have visited one of the Zoos in NorthEast India several times, almost eight times, just for one single reason-to see my favourite cat, the snow leopard.I am happy there are people like you who have the means and are ready to champion the cause of this beautiful cat.
I would love to share some of the poems and the paintings that I have done on snow leopard.
My living room is adorned with two snow leopard paintings besides others too. I keep a low profile otherwise.
I am happy to share my thoughts with like- minded people like you.
All the best with your great compassionate wotk.
Karma- Paro,Bhutan

Sami Hisheh April 22, 2010 at 11:34 pm

Hi Sibylle,

I like the new-look masthead for your re-launched snow leopard blog designed by my daughter Nadia.

Well done Nadia!
Sami

Bettina April 17, 2012 at 3:09 pm

Sibylle, your tireless volunteer work for Snow Leopard conservation is outstanding!
I heard that you might start “podcasting” and interviewing experts in the field of Snow Leopard conservation, can I just say that would be marvellous! It would also be great to hear from people in the villages who share their habitats with the Leopards to find out the support they also give to conservation. Keep up the great work. Blessing to you, Bettina

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