The PeLeWG supported the participation of its member, Kaveh Hobeali from Future4Leopards Foundation (Iran), in the workshop “Engaging with Indigenous People and Local Communities for Biodiversity Conservation” in Kathmandu, Nepal during 5-8 March 2025. This course was organized by Snow Leopard Trust, Ethical Conservation Alliance and Red Panda Network. It was arranged in a very creative and participatory way to address the PARTNERS principles including the following key features of effective cooperation with local communities in conservation: Presence, Aptness, Respect, Transparency, Negotiation, Empathy, Responsiveness and Strategic support. Witnessing the remarkable unity among snow leopard conservationists was truly thought-provoking, and inspired Kaveh to reflect and apply meaningful, feasible and locally friendly solutions in his home country.

As human conflicts with Persian leopards and snow leopards are among the major threats to survival of these big cats, learning and sharing information about effective solutions with essential local engagement is an irreplaceable lesson to take home. The PeLeWG pays great attention to building up local knowledge on co-existence between local communities and Persian leopards, and will do its best to foster dedicated professionals, especially youth, to make a change on the ground.

The PeLeWG supported Hana Raza, leader of Leopards Beyond Borders and member of the PeLeWG Steering Committee, to travel to Mongolia to participate in the Training of Trainers on Community-Driven Conservation course during 3-7 Feb, 2025. This course was organized by Snow Leopard Trust, Ethical Conservation Alliance and Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation. It aimed to effectively engage local communities in biodiversity conservation by applying the PARTNERS principles: Presence, Aptness, Respect, Transparency, Negotiation, Empathy, Responsiveness, and Strategic support, focusing on building trust, fostering resilient relationships, and ensuring shared decision-making. These elements are essential for creating a long-term and meaningful conservation impact.  

The gathering provided a platform for conservationists to share experiences, address challenges, and exchange innovative solutions. Through open discussions, participants gained practical tools to enhance their efforts and refined strategies for effective community-driven conservation. The training also expects participants to facilitate similar workshops in their home countries, further expanding the impact of ethical conservation principles.

On World Ranger Day of July 31, Leopards Beyond Borders, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Forest Police of Sulaymaniyah and with support from the PeLeWG, hosted the Ranger Award event to honor three exceptional individuals as leopard champions. The event celebrated their outstanding contributions to conservation by awarding them the prestigious Ranger Award, initiated by the PeLeWG in 2024. The General Director of Forest Police commended the initiative, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and supporting those who fight against illegal hunting and forest logging. He also reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to conservation efforts before personally presenting the award certificates to the deserving recipients.

The award recipients gave brief acceptance speeches in which they thanked the PeLeWG and Leopards Beyond Borders for their recognition, expressing that the award serves as a powerful reminder to continue their commitment to nature conservation and the protection of leopards and other wildlife. They also encouraged others to follow their footsteps.

Additionally, Leopards Beyond Borders presented the General Directorate with a camera-trap photo of the first female Persian leopard, captured by the award winners as a lasting reminder of their dedication to leopard protection.

The Ranger Award Ceremony took place on June 5, 2024 at the Bamyan provincial office of the National Environmental Protection Agency–Afghanistan. It was organized under the support of the PeLeWG in cooperation with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Afghanistan. The event was attended by local authorities, WCS provincial and central office teams, and rangers. The speeches were delivered about the Persian leopard’s status, conservation and values in the country, and the activities of the PeLeWG and the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group. The 10 nominated rangers received cash prizes and appreciation letters.

We hope that this small, but important, step will mark the beginning of new actions, projects and programs targeted at the conservation of Persian leopards, their prey and habitats in harmony with local people of Afghanistan.