Leisa Tyler


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A young Kyrgyz boy outside his family's yurta - traditional felt tent able to withstand extreme cold on the jailoo - summer pastures tucked into the Tian Shan in central Kyrgyzstan. A traditionally nomadic country, most of the Kyrgyz herdsmen were collectivised during the Soviet days, which included Kyrgyzstan as a state of the empire. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1992 witnessed many nomads return to life in a tent. The Kyrgyz say they are descendents of the Mongols - in particular, Genghis Khan himself. Although their facial features and cultural habits align them more with the Turks.
A naturalist from Mahua Kothi, a safari lodge on the edge of Baghavahn National Park, India. Opened in late 2006, Mahua Kothi is a collaboration between CC Africa, a safari company in Africa, and Indian-based Taj Hotels and Resorts. Using sustainable (and local) building techniques and materials, buying local produce, employing local staff and educating villagers on the importance of protecting the tiger (and consequently protect tourism to their park), CC Africa and Taj Hotels and Resorts are hoping to take the circus out of Indian wildlife tourism, and inadvertedly save the tiger. Mahua Kothi is the first of four properties that this Taj/CC Africa collaberation will open in Mahdya Pradesh between late 2006 and 2009. Bandhavgarh National Park - the former home of the Royal family of Rawa - is now a tiger sanctuary with the highest concentrations of tigers in India. It is said that in years gone by, tigers in Bandhavgarh were so prolific it was considered an omen for the ruling Maharaja to kill 109 per lifetime in order to bring peace and prosperity to his people. Tiger numbers in India have fallen to critical levels in recent years; from 300,000 at the turn of the 20th century to a government estimated figure of 3,500 today (critics claim numbers are closer to 1,500 today. India maintains strict and regimental control over their many tiger parks, but despite this, numbers continue to fall. Many tigers are poached by villagers, as an adult can fetch up to US$20,000 on the black market. Indian farmers can expect to earn less than US$1000 a year.

Main portfolio

A selection of my work and places I have been.