Snow Leopard Tally

Nepal is famous for the world's highest mountain and numerous snowy peaks. These shining mountains are, of course, the glory of the Himalayan nation. It is equally rich in flora and fauna. The rare wild animals and plants form the integral part of the vast ecosystem of mountains spreading hundreds of kilometres from east to west. Of many animals, snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an elusive yet charismatic creature that makes the high altitude terrain its habitat. The magnificent wild cat bears aesthetic and ecological value. It looks fierce as well as beautiful. Many poets and writers have poured their creative energy in describing its exquisiteness, movements and habits, fuelling people's curiosity about the enigmatic species.  Look at how a poet Tony Owen portrays it: ‘Mountain ghost of Earth and sky/ solitary, as a cloud, stealthy/ in graceful muscled flow/ each icy paw perfectly placed/ silent as falling snow.’ 

It is not only the poets, who have immersed in demystifying the prowling beast with their eloquent words, but many scientists and researchers have undertaken various studies in tracing and studying this unique animal. According to National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal is one of the 12 snow leopard range countries, with an estimated 350-500 of them living in different mountain regions. Globally, their population ranges from 3,921 to 6,290.  A recent study conducted in the Manaslu Conservation Area in Gorkha district has found 13 adult snow leopards and two cubs.  According to the news report published in this daily, this is the first scientific study of its kind conducted in the Manaslu area to determine the number of snow leopards. Around 120 camera traps were installed at altitudes ranging from 2,500 meters to 5,000 meters and covering around 600 square kilometers in both valleys to capture the movement of these wild cats. 

The study was conducted in the Western sector of the Manaslu Conservation Area, spanning from Bhi to Samdo in Nubri Valley from November 2020 to January 2021. Likewise, the Eastern side at Chum Valley, covering from Chumling to MuGomba-Kalung, was surveyed from December 2021 to February 2022. The researchers are busy in analysing the density of snow leopards, the impact of climate change on them, their habit, activity patters and interactions with prey species and other co-occurring predators such as the Himalayan wolf, common leopard, and golden jackal. A survey, conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in eastern Dolpa outside of Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP), has disclosed the population of 30 snow leopards. This is the first survey that offered solid evidence about the density of snow leopards outside the protected areas. This has helped the wildlife scientists understand the status of Nepal’s snow leopard and the necessity for their conservation. 

Snow leopards live in remote and large geographical areas, making it difficult to properly study and understand them. Nepal government has taken landscape conservation planning approach to protect them. For this, three large conservation landscapes – the eastern, central and western – have been demarcated. They mainly rely on blue sheep and Himalayan tahr for their food but their population is declining due to overgrazing of rangelands, overharvesting of medicinal plants and shift in traditional herding practices. Similarly, they go on preying on domestic livestock in large numbers, triggering human-animal conflict. This forces these mountain predators to be the victims of retaliatory killings. It is imperative to promote community-based conservation education so that both snow leopards and local people sustain and live together.