It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Lkhagvasumberel (Sumbe) Tomorsukh, Camp Manager and Research Assistant with our Mongolia partner organization, Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation. He was 27 years old.
Sumbe worked closely with Bayara Agvaantseren, Mongolia Program Director on various snow leopard projects, many of which PTES has helped to fund over the past few year. He was a young promising researcher who hailed from the water-rich Khuvsgul province, but had taken to the arid Gobi desert as his second home. Sumbe joined Bayara’s team in 2009 as an intern on the camera-trapping team. Within days he understood what it took to look for appropriate sites and set up camera traps, and soon enough he learnt how to set up camera traps in the field on his own.
Sumbe was hired full time in 2012 and became the primary Research Associate for Snow Leopard Trust’s Long-term Ecological Study (LTES) in Mongolia. Sumbe will be missed sorely. His never-ending energy, unfailing enthusiasm and unmatched compassion will inspire us always. You can see a tribute to Sumbe on the Snow Leopard Trust’s website.