Snow leopards eat sheep and other livestock. Bankhars scare them away so shepherds don’t have to kill the big cats.

Herders were losing many of their animals to leopard attacks. That made it difficult to make a living.

The herders tried two things. First, they added more animals to their flocks. That way, if they lost a few, they would still have enough to support their families. Second, they sometimes killed the leopards.

Both of those efforts had some bad results, though.

More sheep, goats, and cows grazing means less grass to go around. The land gets used up quickly. Herders move more often. They run into each other. So they have to go farther into the wild areas. That means moving near to more predators. It all happens over again. Adding more animals didn’t solve the problem.

But killing the leopards created a new problem too. The snow leopard is important. It eats more than just livestock. It also preys on marmots. Marmots are large rodents. They can carry diseases. They dig burrows in the ground. Too many holes tear up grasslands. The holes can also cause soil to erode. As leopards began to die out in Mongolia, marmot populations grew.

Using bankhars to protect herds actually helps snow leopards. The dogs don’t attack. They just scare the leopards away. That way, the big cats are not harmed. They can go back to hunting marmots safely.

It’s a gentle solution that works for everyone: people, herds, dogs, and even predators!

He will tend His flock like a shepherd . . . and gently lead those that are with young.—Isaiah 40: 11