Snow leopard, the ghosts of mountains

The snow leopard (Pantherauncia) is a species of large cat in the genus Panthera of the family Felidae. The species is native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because the global population is estimated to number fewer than 10,000 mature individuals and is expected to decline about 10% by 2040. It is mainly threatened by poaching and habitat destruction following infrastructural developments. It inhabits alpine and subalpine zones at elevations of 3,000–4,500 m (9,800–14,800 ft),- –  Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Nepal.

Snow leopard, large long-haired Asian cat, soft coat, consisting of a dense insulating undercoat and a thick outercoat of hairs about 5 cm (2 inches) long, is pale grayish with dark rosettes and a dark streak along the spine. The underparts, on which the fur may be 10 cm (4 inches) long, are uniformly whitish. The snow leopard attains a length of about 2.1 metres (7 feet), including the 0.9-metre- (3-foot-) long tail. It stands about 0.6 metre (2 feet) high at the shoulder and weighs 23–41 kg (50–90 pounds). It hunts at night and preys on various animals, such as marmots, wild sheep, ibex (capra), and domestic livestock. Its litters of two to four young are born after a gestation period of approximately 93 days.

Snow leopards are often called the “ghosts of the mountains” because of their ability to blend into their rocky surroundings. They are incredibly difficult to spot in the wild.

Snow leopards are solitary and secretive animals, preferring to roam vast territories on their own. They are most active at dawn and dusk, and communicate mainly through scent marks and vocalizations.

These big cats rely on their stealth and patience to hunt prey such as blue sheep, ibex, and other mountain animals. They can stalk prey from as far as 200 feet away before making their move.

Unlike most big cats, snow leopards do not roar. They communicate with other sounds, such as growls, hisses, meows, and a unique call known as a “chuff.”

Snow leopards play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of their habitats. By protecting them, we can help to safeguard entire ecosystems. As top predators, snow leopards regulate the populations of herbivores such as ibex, blue sheep, and other mountain animals.

By controlling these prey populations, the leopards prevent overgrazing, which could otherwise lead to the degradation of vegetation and soil erosion in fragile mountain environments.

Snow leopards indirectly support plant diversity by keeping herbivore populations in check. This helps maintain a balanced ecosystem where various species of plants, insects, and animals can thrive, contributing to overall biodiversity in the region.

When the cats make a kill, they often leave behind remains that are consumed by scavengers like vultures, wolves, and smaller carnivores. This supports the wider ecosystem by providing a food source for other species.

In Nepal Snow Leopards are distributed along the northern border with China (Tibet) and occur within seven mountain protected areas: Annapurna Conservation Area, Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, Langtang National Park, Makalu Barun National Park, Manaslu Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park and SheyPhoksundo National Park. Snow Leopards occur in cold, arid and semi-arid shrub land, alpine and subalpine areas, grasslands and open forests, favoring steep terrain characterized by cliffs, ridges, gullies and rocky outcrops at elevations of between 3,000 m to 5,500 m. According to Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan (2017-2021), the global population of this species is estimated to 3921-6290. According to the Annual Report of DNPWC (2019) its population is estimated as 301-400. It is listed as endangered species by IUCN red list category as it is experiencing declines due to Human-Snow Leopard conflict, Reduction of natural prey base, Habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, human settlements and livestock grazing, None or weak trans-boundary cooperation, Poaching and illegal trade. National red list of mammals categorizes it as an endangered species. The legal status of this species in Nepal is Protected (Appendix I) under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and Appendix I in CITES law. International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated each year on October 23 to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these endangered cats and their habitats.