The snow leopard: elegant and elusive
By protecting the rare snow leopard we’re also helping to protect its whole environment.
Snow leopard species:
Affected by: Habitat loss and fragmentation , Climate change , Human wildlife conflict , Illegal wildlife trade
The elegant and well-camouflaged snow leopard is one of the world’s most elusive cats. Thinly spread across 12 countries in central Asia, it’s at home in high, rugged mountain landscapes. But habitat deterioration, habitat loss, poaching and climate change are now threatening their survival.
The snow leopard has a beautiful, spotted coat, thick enough to insulate them from the cold. Their wide, fur-covered feet distribute their weight over soft snow, like natural snowshoes.
Snow leopards are solitary creatures, and skillful predators, able to kill prey up to three times their own weight in challenging terrain. It’s been found that poaching and retaliatory killing (as a consequence of a snow leopard killing livestock) are sometimes linked, and the attitudes and support from local communities living in these remote mountain areas are critical to the success of snow leopard conservation.
Becci May Senior Programme Advisor (Asia Programmes)"Snow leopards are graceful, but tough, as they live in such harsh and remote environments, high in the mountains of the Himalayas and in central Asia. Very little is known about them, but we know that they are threatened by habitat deterioration, poaching and conflict with people, with climate change adding additional pressure. I am fascinated by snow leopards and the amazing places they are found in – I’ve had the great privilege to visit one of these areas in Nepal, see a snow leopard, and meet our dedicated colleagues and inspiring communities working to monitor and protect the snow leopard."
Where snow leopards live
Snow leopards are sparsely distributed across 12 countries in central Asia, from southern Russia down to the Tibetan plateau, including Mongolia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal.
They’re usually at home in high, rugged mountain landscapes at heights of over 3,000 metres – and climate change may shrink their available habitat.
Why snow leopards are so important
Snow leopards are top predators in their environment, and their prey include mountain sheep and goats. Without the snow leopard, the ecological balance would be disrupted. For example, herbivore populations would increase, resulting in changes to the vegetation, also affecting other wildlife that live in these areas.
The same landscape also provides food and other important resources for the many people who live there – including medicine and wood for shelter, heat and fuel. So by protecting the snow leopard, we’re benefitting the whole natural environment in these areas and the people who rely on it.
How we're helping snow leopards
Rebuilding communities in Nepal
In the foothills of the high Himalayas, we’re helping people to rebuild their lives following the earthquake that devastated Nepal in 2015.
How we're helping snow leopards
Supporting people to support snow leopards
We’re working with communities in the high mountains of the Kangchenjunga conservation area in Nepal to help manage and reduce conflict between snow leopards and people.