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.