Storytelling in the Conservation of Endangered Species: The Case of Snow Leopard Conservancy

Abstract

This article explores the use of storytelling as a method for protecting endangered species, with the Snow Leopard Conservancy as a case study. It critiques the limitations of a linear, scientific approach to conservation, drawing on Joshua P. Howe’s analysis of the intersection of science and politics. Using Donna Haraway’s S-F concept and Thomas Berry’s vision of an ecozoic epoch, the paper argues that storytelling can drive meaningful environmental change. The Conservancy, which works with local Indigenous Cultural Practitioners to reframe snow leopards’ role in spiritual traditions, exemplifies how integrating local knowledge and narratives can reshape attitudes toward wildlife conservation. The study highlights storytelling’s potential to foster broader ecological understanding and influence conservation efforts.