Focus Area
Environmental conservation
Location
Central Asia
Beneficiaries
Semi-nomadic herders and their families in snow leopard habitats
Safavi's Role
Partner-funded
Key Impact
Up to 90% reduction in livestock losses in India | Zero livestock losses among 10 pilot families in South Gobi since intervention | Increased tolerance and reduced retaliation killings of snow leopards
Project Overview
The Predation Prevention initiative addresses a critical human-wildlife conflict in Central Asia—livestock losses caused by snow leopard attacks. By helping herder communities protect their animals, the initiative reduces economic hardship, fosters coexistence with predators, and helps protect one of the world’s most elusive big cats from retaliatory killings.
Beneficiary Profile
The primary beneficiaries are semi-nomadic and subsistence herders living in snow leopard habitats across Pakistan, the Indian Himalayas, and Mongolia’s South Gobi. These communities rely on livestock for income, sustenance, and cultural identity. Many live in remote, high-altitude environments where resources are limited and wildlife encounters are common.
Safavi's Role
Safavi serves as a funding partner in this initiative, supporting implementation by local conservation organizations and field teams. Through strategic philanthropy, Safavi enables on-the-ground efforts such as:
Construction of predator-proof corrals and fencing
Community education on improved herding practices
Cost-sharing and labor mobilization with local families
Ongoing monitoring of impact in collaboration with partners
This approach builds trust and shared ownership among herders, increasing the sustainability of results.
Project Gallery
Photo Credit: Predation Prevention
Impact Achieved
India: Partner communities report up to a 90% drop in livestock predation after corral upgrades.
Mongolia (South Gobi): Among 10 herding families participating in the pilot, none reported livestock losses after fencing solutions were installed.
Overall: Improved community attitudes toward snow leopards and measurable reduction in retaliatory killings.
Purpose & Signifigance
This initiative advances Safavi’s environmental conservation goals while supporting local livelihoods. By investing in practical, preventative solutions, Safavi helps reduce the root causes of conflict between humans and snow leopards. The work reflects Safavi’s belief in community-centered approaches, ecological balance, and building long-term partnerships that benefit both people and planet.
Future Outlook
Safavi is exploring further expansion of the program to additional herding communities, particularly in high-conflict zones. Future support may include:
Broader deployment of predator-proof infrastructure
Enhanced training programs for sustainable herding practices
Monitoring tools for data-driven adaptation
Increased collaboration with local governments and conservation NGOs
