Now for Wildlife is the initiative and project founded by Luciano Foglia (ARG) and Caroline Parton (UK). What initially began as a journey to explore the boundaries of human culture, with the intention of traveling and living en route to Mongolia, unexpectedly evolved into a profound appreciation for the natural world. This transformative experience not only changed our plans but also shaped the course of our lives from that moment on.
It was 2018 when we started our journey from Europe towards Central Asia, in an old 90s ambulance turned into an off-grid home and studio. We renovated it together on the hot streets of southern Spain. The beginning of an adventure that became our lifestyle, and a way of exploring the planet in a different and incredible way.
At the time, we were based in Amsterdam. A comfortable life with all the luxury that comes with living in a well-serviced city. But for a long time we were slowly feeling that there was something we were missing out there. Something more meaningful behind the internet and the entertainment of cultural life. We knew that it was not money but time that would take us there.
Our Journey Begins
The loose idea of traveling towards Central Asia was to reach Mongolia. While we were passing a winter in Kazakhstan, waiting for the extreme Siberian cold to pass, Covid arrived on the news. Kazakhstan was suddenly closing its borders, with no reopen date in sight. Our visa-free period was about to run out, so we decided to head to Kyrgyzstan. A few days later, all the countries around us had closed their borders.
We had no choice but to surrender to the situation and context. Even though those were uncertain times, it gave us the chance to explore the Tien-Shan mountains in a much deeper way. A land of nomadic people that has taught us so much about generosity, circular living and the importance of community.
Because of the high-altitude mountains that form most of Kyrgyzstan, and the small human population, two worlds coexist together in these mountains. The wild nature untouched, and the human context. Since spending all our time in these mountains, and watching the seasons change, that distinction has become very clear.
After living in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan for a few years, we've been fortunate to experience the culture and way of life of the nomads. For us, there is nothing more magical than spending time in a yurt in the “Jailoo” (summer mountain pastures), with a nomad family.
Everything in the yurt has a purpose. There is also a strict code of how to put the yurt up, and how to live in it. Nothing is left to chance, and nothing goes to waste in the nomadic culture. This has all been a huge learning for us; In my case I’ve struggled to find real purpose in most of the work I do as a designer and creative. To experience this contrast has been so refreshing.
As a gesture of gratitude for the kindness of Kyrgyz nomads in the mountains, we took the initiative to volunteer and assist them across various regions in the country. Some of our self-initiated projects included teaching English in Arslanbob, creating a nomadic-specific English book that we distributed across the Jailoos in Son-Kul Lake, providing equipment to a wildlife conservation check post, and constructing a house for sniffer dogs at an anti-poaching check post in Barskoon Valley.
A Snow Leopard's Silent Greeting
One day, while driving to the border of China high up in the Tien-Shan mountains, we experienced the unimaginable. A sudden snow storm had forced us to change directions, and with the temperatures dropping quickly, we decided to make our way back down to lower altitude. In the distance, a pack of yaks were grazing near the river, barely visible from the road in the snowy mist.
It was at this point that something magical happened. A snow leopard, unmistakable with its distinctly long tail, suddenly jumped out into the road in front of us. About 30 meters away, it crossed, and headed up the mountains to our right. Perfectly camouflaged, it became barely visible as the snow continued to fall. We were lucky we could still watch it with our binoculars as it climbed higher and higher into the fog. At a certain point it stopped, and to our amazement, turned around and stared right at us. We were completely transfixed with emotion; it was incredible to be able to see this beautiful, elusive ‘ghost of the mountains’.
Seeing this mythic creature has been an extremely moving experience for us. Since then, this encounter has fueled our passion for wildlife conservation, becoming the catalyst for all that Now for Wildlife stands for. The significance of this moment is reflected in our logo—a homage to the incredible and rare encounter we experienced, a symbol that has guided our journey and mission.
While looking for a place to settle to do some remote work from our truck mobile-studio for a few weeks we met Director of Baiboosun Nature Reserve, Baatyrbek Akmatov. He showed us the incredible footage taken from their camera traps, which have been installed to monitor and protect the wildlife. It was fascinating; we saw snow leopards and other endangered animals, living peacefully in these idyllic, remote landscapes. We fell in love with this project.
Our time in Baiboosun Nature Reserve has been a huge learning experience, as well as an intense journey in physical resilience. The harsh winters, as well as the high altitudes in the Tien-Shan, are unforgiving. But all these challenges and experiences are worth it though when you reach the top of a mountain (after one of the most difficult treks of your life), sit down on a rock, and check the footage from the camera traps for the first time. Finding out that wonderful, mystical creatures have been roaming around in the same place that you are now, is an incredible feeling.
This post in social media illustrates what's like to live to protect snow leopards in the Tien-Shan: "As I write this message, I am withstanding the extreme weather of the Tien-Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan, living in an ex-soviet farm with a fire burner that needs coal every 40 min to keep warm, with no running water, an outside toilet 100 meters away, with no shower apart from the community saunas in the village. This is what it takes to try to make a difference where it is most needed. And I love it because it’s more fun than having your life sorted. But most importantly, I love to think that those incredible animals in the mountains of the nature reserve could somehow feel that I care about them no matter what mountain I have to move."
⎯ Luciano Foglia, LinkedIn 2023
The learnings and challenges at Baiboosun Nature Reserve start showing us that there is a lot that can be improved in the way projects in remote landscapes are run. It was demoralizing sometimes to see so many resources at hand of huge corporations with big budgets and see not much really being done where it is most needed.
In the realm of conservation on the front line, we often find ourselves faced with a daunting challenge—the struggle to shift perspectives and values held by individuals who see nature solely through the lens of economic gain. It is precisely from these individuals, residing in the remote landscapes where endangered species depend on, that our greatest opportunity arises. It is here that we must strive to transform patterns of thought, expanding the notion of value beyond economic benefits and embracing the intrinsic worth of nature itself. This battle is not merely practical; it is spiritual!
It is essential to understand that individuals driven solely by the mission to protect endangered species, act as missionaries. Not everyone who seeks to make a real difference for wildlife needs to come from an academic background, as wildlife protection is deeply rooted in a spiritual choice. This passion and devotion to safeguard something sacred defy control patterns and instead lead us to unknown places, remote lands, and moments of solitude.
Having spent five years immersed in the remote Tien-Shan mountains, relying solely on our own resources to make a tangible impact for wildlife, we've garnered invaluable experience and insights to tackle this challenges. Now for Wildlife was born out of the need to provide solutions to these pressing issues and we advocate for a more modern and efficient approach to conserving endangered species in remote landscapes.
The newspaper article features an interview published in La Nacion, a reputable media outlet in Argentina. Conducted exclusively by Franco Spinetta, it was originally published on September 13, 2023. The downloadable PDF is an English translation, approved by the author.