News

Ladakh hosts the highest snow leopard density in the world.

• 68% of India’s snow leopard population (~477 out of 709 individuals) is found in Ladakh.
• Ladakh’s Hemis National Park recorded the highest ever density in the world
• Lowest densities were reported from Changthang High Altitude Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary (Ladakh).

Factors Behind High Density

• Conservation efforts by Ladakh Wildlife Department.
• Rugged terrain, low human density, and ample prey availability (wild and domestic).
• Role of traditional pastoral practices in conservation and Cultural values of Ladakhi communities who avoid hunting.

About Snow Leopard

• Snow leopard (or Ghost of the Mountains) is a keystone and indicator species of high-altitude habitat.
• It is a flagship species for the high-altitude Himalayan ecosystem.
• It is the 7th largest cat species in the world.
• Distribution: It is native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. In India, it occurs in the Himalayan region.
• Conservation Status: Snow leopard was downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable on IUCN Red List in 2017. CITES: Appendix I, WPA,1972: Schedule I