This was one of my most ambitious projects to date; a three-year journey to capture a single image using a DIY camera trap rig. While leading expeditions in Kyrgyzstan, I worked alongside the Snow Leopard Trust to find a location that truly captured the beauty of this animal in its raw environment.

Maintaining the gear was a constant battle. The system was damaged six times—by bears, mice chewing through wires, and even a snow leopard biting the housing. Reaching the site took four days, two of which were spent on horseback, making every repair a monumental task. After three years of waiting, the effort finally paid off when this young male stepped in front of the lens. The shot was captured using a Camtraptions PIR sensor, a single flash, and my trusty Canon 5D Mark II—12 years old and still going strong.

We’ve just wrapped up over a month on the ground in Madagascar, and what a journey it’s been. Our mission was clear: to lay the groundwork for a new Wild Expeditions trip that connects travelers with local conservationists in a remote, little-known whale shark hotspot.

The goal isn't just to see these animals; it’s to create a sustainable, ethical tourism model that directly funds the people protecting them. We spent our days island-hopping across various archipelagos, snorkeling through pristine coral reefs, and capturing the footage we need to show the world why this place matters.

The biodiversity was staggering. We swam with turtles, tracked dolphins, and watched whales breach on the horizon. Ironically, despite being there for whale sharks, the sharks themselves stayed elusive this time around. But that’s the reality of working with nature—the "no-show" only reinforced why the groundwork is so important. We’ve built the infrastructure, made the local connections, and we’re ready to return later this year. Fingers crossed the giants join us next time.

We spent a month deep in the jungles of Côte d’Ivoire, and it was easily one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Our mission was to build a bridge between ethical tourism and the conservationists fighting to save the Western Chimpanzee. This forest is under extreme pressure, and we believe that bringing science and sustainable tourism here is the only way to halt its extinction.

The jungle doesn't give up its secrets easily. We spent our mornings listening for the rhythmic drumming of tree roots, then spent hours trekking through dense undergrowth with heavy packs, trying to close the distance. Nine times out of ten, we saw nothing at all.

But near the end of the trip, our luck changed. We spent two incredible hours with a full troop—watching them forage, play, and fight in a spectacular display of social complexity. Beyond the chimps, we found signs of forest elephants and the elusive pygmy hippo.

However, the trip had a dark side. We fell asleep to the sound of gunshots from poachers and had to avoid water sources due to runoff from gold mining and farming. The future of this forest is uncertain, but we aren't giving up. You can join us in supporting this region by registering your interest for our next expedition.

Join the mission: www.wildexpeditions.info

This image and accompanying footage was taken last November, at the moment we are setting up a new basecamp to take people into the remote mountains of Kyrgyzstan. While we were out on a recce we managed to spot a snow leopard on the ridge. Under strict guidence from the park director I was able to capture this photo of the a young snow leopard, possibly a female waiting on a ridge looking for her prey in the early morning light. 

Filmmed over 2 years, this three part series follows dan on a journey to uncover the hidden world of the snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. We spent months cameratrapping in the field. As well as working with the Snow Leopard trust to film the tagging of wild snow leopards in the wild. Available now on NowTV, Prime and Apple TV.