In 2018, Sylvain Tesson was invited by wildlife photographer Vincent Munier to observe the last specimens of the snow leopard on the borders of Tibet. These discreet and very timid animals live on a gigantic plateau culminating at an altitude of 5,00 ...
In 2018, Sylvain Tesson was invited by wildlife photographer Vincent Munier to observe the last specimens of the snow leopard on the borders of Tibet. These discreet and very timid animals live on a gigantic plateau culminating at an altitude of 5,000 m, the Changtang. Located in northern and western Tibet, it extends approximately 1,600 km, from Ladakh to Qinghai province, and is inhabited by the nomadic Changpas.
The team lands in Beijing, then takes the road in a 4X4 towards Tibet. As the days pass, the convoy moves towards increasingly grandiose and deserted panoramas: where the population retreats, the fauna advances and spreads out, protected from the harmful effects of civilization.
Sylvain Tesson describes a sort of African savannah that would be perched at an altitude of 4,000 meters, where we come across herds of antelopes, blue goats, and hordes of yaks that cross vast grassy expanses where dunes rise.
The team goes deeper and deeper, reaching heights that far exceed what we know in Europe. At an altitude of 5,000 m, the domain of the snow leopard opens up. In this natural sanctuary, totally inhospitable to humans, the feline has found the means for its survival and tranquility. Observation conditions become very difficult, you sometimes have to stay still for thirty consecutive hours at -30°C to catch a few minutes of the majestic passage of the animal...
Sylvain Tesson skillfully intertwines the story of an exceptional adventure on the borders of Tibet with reflections of remarkable relevance on the disastrous consequences of human activity towards the animal kingdom. Through the example of the snow leopard, the author questions the morphology of a world where all species would become rare and then become extinct. He takes us on this unique adventure where we are as interested in the art of animal hunting as in Asian spirituality.
We are using technologies like Cookies and process personal data like the IP-address or browser information in order to personalize the content that you see. This helps us to show you more relevant products and improves your experience. we are herewith asking for your permission to use this technologies.