The Snow Leopard Trust conducts groundbreaking research to better understand the ecology and behaviour of snow leopards in the wild. This involves cutting-edge tools, such as GPS tracking collars, GIS modelling and genetic analyses. These tools allow the Snow Leopard Trust to monitor wild snow leopard populations, providing long-term scientific data which can be used to identify areas where more conservation efforts are needed. The Snow Leopard Trust also works with local communities living alongside snow leopards, conducting research to better understand the complex dynamics between people, snow leopards, and the broader ecosystem.

The snow leopard is considered Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List, with between 3,920 and 6,390 left in the wild.

The biggest threats to snow leopards are habitat loss, illegal poaching for their fur and other body parts, and conflict with local herders. Climate change also poses a significant threat to snow leopards, with higher temperatures potentially leading to changes in vegetation, water supplies and prey abundance.

Throughout most of its range, the snow leopard lives alongside low-income agricultural communities. As predators, snow leopards will occasionally predate upon livestock, which can lead to conflict with local communities, and retaliatory killing of snow leopards to protect livestock herds. To prevent this, the Snow Leopard Trust operates community-based conservation programmes which provide incentives for local herders to protect wildlife and ecosystems. This includes a livestock insurance programme, providing compensation to rural communities for lost animals, and reducing the financial impact of snow leopard predation. To participate in the scheme herders must sign a conservation agreement and pledge to protect both snow leopards and wild prey species.