In a historic breakthrough for wildlife conservation, Nepal has completed its first nationwide survey of the elusive snow leopard, estimating a population of nearly 400 of these majestic big cats in the Himalayan region, according to wildlife officials. The announcement, made on Tuesday, marks a significant step in understanding and protecting this vulnerable species, often called the “ghosts of the mountains.”
Snow leopards, known for their thick grey fur and large paws that function as natural snowshoes, face severe threats from habitat loss, climate change, and poaching. Listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), their global population is estimated to range between 3,920 and 6,390 across 12 Asian countries. Nepal, despite hosting only 2% of global snow leopard habitat, is home to approximately 10% of the estimated population, making it a critical region for conservation.
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The survey, conducted using motion-sensor cameras and genetic analysis across seven key areas, counted 397 snow leopards—a figure at the high end of previous IUCN estimates of 301-400 for Nepal. “This is a historic step in Nepal’s snow leopard conservation journey,” said Haribhadra Acharya, senior ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. “This is the first time we are getting authentic data with the great effort of researchers.”
Ghana S. Gurung, country representative of WWF Nepal, highlighted Nepal’s remarkable role, noting that it holds the fourth-largest snow leopard population globally, despite being the second-smallest country in terms of habitat size after Bhutan.
However, conservationists warn that challenges remain. Climate change, increasing avalanches, and infrastructure projects like road construction and transmission lines threaten snow leopard habitats. “Increased human activity in search of herbs is disrupting their environment,” Acharya added.
Nepal’s conservation efforts have previously earned global praise, with successes in tripling its tiger population to 355 since 2010 and boosting one-horned rhinoceros numbers to 752 by 2021. This latest survey underscores Nepal’s commitment to protecting its rich biodiversity and offers hope for the future of the elusive snow leopard.
Why Snow Leopards Are Really Endangered:
- Climate Change: Rising temperatures and extreme weather, like avalanches, disrupt their high-altitude habitats in the Himalayas.
- Habitat Loss: Infrastructure projects, such as road construction and transmission lines, fragment and degrade their remote mountain territories.
- Human Activity: Increased human presence, including herb collection, disturbs snow leopard habitats and prey availability.
- Poaching: Illegal hunting for their fur and body parts continues to threaten their population.
- Low Population Density: With an estimated global population of 3,920–6,390, their sparse distribution makes recovery from losses challenging.
