Sutai Khairkhan: A Snow Leopard Expedition to Remote Mongolia

Sue Mackenzie is an experienced expedition leader returning to Mongolia after participating in John Blashford-Snell's 2023 expedition. She began her career in the Army, training at Sandhurst before taking on international leadership roles. As project leader for Operation Raleigh in Zimbabwe, she navigated a white-water rafting incident on the Zambezi, led her group out of an unmarked minefield, and oversaw conservation and community projects.

After leaving the military, Sue became Chief Executive of Kids in Schools, a charity supporting disadvantaged youth through education. She later held senior operations roles at London Luton Airport and P&O Ferries.

Now pursuing a portfolio career as a Non-Executive Director and charity trustee, Sue has reignited her passion for expeditions. Following the success of the 2023 Mongolia expedition, she was asked to lead the 2025 return.

The 2025 Sutai Khairkhan expedition focused on gathering crucial data on snow leopards in this little-studied mountain region. The rugged, inaccessible terrain combined with the elusive nature of snow leopards presented unique challenges for this critical conservation work.

Working with the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation and the National University of Mongolia, the expedition team placed 34 camera traps that will remain in place for at least a year, monitored through regular visits. These automatic cameras will provide essential insights into the snow leopards' distribution, population size, age, and sex – data that can only be gathered meaningfully over a sustained period in such remote conditions. The data is being analysed using methodology approved by key Mongolian research institutions and conservation organisations, informing future conservation efforts for this endangered species. The expedition also gathered research data on the region's flora, fauna, and archaeological sites, and conducted community health and dental clinics. The team eagerly awaits the first images of snow leopards captured by the cameras still out in the Sutai mountains.

Join us to hear Sue lead us through this challenging expedition to gather vital conservation data on snow leopards.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026

Venue: The Boulevard Bar, Hollywood Arms, 45 Hollywood Road, Chelsea, London SW10 9HX

- Drinks in the bar from 6.30pm

- Introduction and special screening starts at 7pm (followed by Q&A)

SES Explorer Series powered by Optimist Performance.