Kickstarter

THE PROJECT.

In a land of endless blue sky and desert, you can see for miles set amongst the backdrop of the Gobi-Altai Mountain Range. A mysterious large cat is well camouflaged to human eyes. Mongolia, the world's least densely populated country, lacks nothing less than true exploration with heart.

REACHING the GOBI is a short documentary film about traveling this Summer to the Gobi Desert, the field experiences and the cultural exchanges of a group of undergraduates students led by three experts in snow leopard research.

Dr. Jan Janecka is a Research Assistant Professor of the College of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences at Texas A&M University and Director of the Genetics Research Program for the Snow Leopard Conservancy. This is the first group of undergraduate students to be led into the northern Gobi Desert by Dr. Janecka.

In collaboration with Dr. Janecka,  Dr. Bariushaa Munkhstog will be co-leading the expedition. Currently, he is the President of NGO Irbis Mongolia, focusing on snow leopard conservation and Senior Biologist at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. He will provide a link to understanding the fascinating cultural aspects and the relationship with conservation efforts.

Dr. Rodney Jackson also will be teaching part of the course. He is President and Lead Director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy. He began the first long-term research for snow leopards through camera-trapping, radio-collaring and scat collection. His role in this expedition will provide students with an in-depth perspective on field research in this rugged terrain, including methods for camera trapping.

Between these instructors lies countless hours of research, dedication and multiple publications benefitting the endangered snow leopard and ecosystem conservation teaching the next generation about how to understand and save such an exceptional cat. Please visit snowleopardconservancy.org

YOUR HELP.

Please watch the video and help me tell a story for students learning about snow leopard conservation and the enchanting Mongolian culture. With your help, I will be able to complete this film and fund costs for travel, post-production and equipment. Ask me any questions you may have. I can not wait to share the footage, rewards and the experiences with you!