Research overview: predator-proof corrals and snow leopard coexistence

Reducing livestock losses is central to securing snow leopards, and predator-proof corrals are among the most effective tools. This overview synthesizes research and program experience showing that reinforcing night corrals against snow leopard entry prevents the surplus killing of penned animals that most inflames herder retaliation, while community insurance and incentive schemes offset remaining losses. It reviews how combining corral improvements with wild prey recovery and herder engagement reduces conflict and builds tolerance. The synthesis frames practical, community-based mitigation as the operational core of snow leopard conservation. For enthusiasts it explains why something as simple as a sturdier corral can make a real difference for a globally threatened cat, and how aligning the interests of mountain communities with snow leopard survival, rather than relying on protected areas alone, offers the most durable path to coexistence.