French adventurer and writer Sylvain Tesson travels to Tibet with the famous wildlife photographer Vincent Munier in search of the endangered snow leopard - one of the rarest animals in the world. At an altitude of more than 5,000 meters, Tesson questions our existence on earth and the restlessness of our lives that leaves little room for appreciation of nature and its beauty. In addition to Tesson's and Munier's hope of an encounter with the snow leopard, the patience required of the author in the freezing cold take center stage. He describes how the long hours of waiting and lack of communication are especially difficult for him as a professional runner and speaker. At the same time, he is overwhelmed by the energy set free from being so close to nature. With its pristine snowy landscape, the Tibetan mountains have a meditative effect.

The main reason for the snow leopard’s impending extinction is habitat loss. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the snow leopard as "endangered" on its "Red List" of threatened species. The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) also points out the sharp decline in the population of this majestic animal and how poaching, environmental destruction and the ongoing expansion of human civilization are significantly reducing the snow leopard's habitat, which in turn affects its population.

Since the 1970s, it has been strictly forbidden to kill snow leopards and trade in their body parts in any of their native territories. However, in some countries, such as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia, illegal hunting and trade are still a major problem. The animals are hunted with iron traps and poisoned baits. Products made from snow leopards range from accessories to fur garments and traditional Chinese medicine made from their bones. Trapping cubs is particularly lucrative for zoos and circuses.

Another threat lies in the growing conflict between snow leopards and cattle ranchers who use land for grazing in close vicinity or in the snow leopard’s habitat. 

Because it is becoming increasingly difficult for snow leopards to hunt their natural prey (e.g., blue sheep or Himalayan rabbits), they are increasingly forced to prey on the cattle kept by local village communities. 

In order to increase awareness among locals, there are various projects, such as the program "Humans and Snow Leopards - Coexistence in the Nar Valley" developed by NABU and Wageningen University. This program aims to find strategies for a peaceful coexistence between snow leopards and humans.

Sylvain Tesson is a writer who loves to travel. He was awarded the Prix Goncourt de la nouvelle for his travel writing and essays, and most recently the Prix Renaudot for "The Snow Leopard." 

The photographs of Tibetan fauna taken by Vincent Munier during his many visits to the Tibetan plateau were published in 2019 in the photo book "Zwischen Fels und Eis" by Knesebeck Verlag (with poems by Sylvain Tesson).

"The Snow Leopard" is available in stores and can also be viewed at the TIR library upon prior notice during opening hours, where reading and workstations are available. Recent additions to the TIR library are introduced in the TIR library newsletter.