KATHMANDU: Nepal is home to approximately 397 snow leopards, according to new data released by WWF Nepal.
The endangered species, found only in high-altitude regions, occupies an estimated 30,500 square kilometers of Nepal’s Himalayan landscape.
While the IUCN notes Nepal holds about 2% of the global snow leopard population, WWF Nepal’s latest findings suggest that Nepal is responsible for nearly 10% of the world’s known individual snow leopards, based on the most recent range-wide estimates by the US-based Snow Leopard Trust.
Globally, the elusive cats are estimated to number between 3,200 and 5,390 across 12 countries, including Nepal, China, India, Mongolia, Bhutan, and others across Central and South Asia.
New national population data from India, Mongolia, Bhutan, and Nepal were derived through a combination of field studies, camera traps, genetic testing, and habitat modeling conducted between 2015 and 2024.
The study was coordinated by Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, with technical support from WWF Nepal and other conservation groups.
According to WWF’s Mountain Program Manager Sarin Shrestha, China leads with an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 snow leopards, followed by Mongolia with 953, India with 718, Nepal with 397, and Bhutan with 134.
Snow leopards are mostly found between 2,540 and 5,000 meters above sea level. Within Nepal, their population is concentrated more heavily in the western region, with about 90 individuals identified in the Dolpa district alone.
Major threats and conservation challenges
Despite its ecological importance as an indicator species for healthy mountain ecosystems, the snow leopard faces growing threats.
Nearly 60% of its habitat lies outside protected areas, making it vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, retaliatory killings from livestock loss, and poaching. Limited accessibility, lack of surveillance technology, funding shortages, and insufficient trained personnel further hinder conservation efforts.
Snow leopards are classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. Their long, thick tails help them maintain balance in steep terrain, and their camouflage makes them notoriously difficult to spot—earning them the nickname “ghost of the mountains.”
Action plan and investment for protection
To safeguard this rare species, the Ministry of Forests and Environment has launched the Snow Leopard Conservation and Action Plan (2024–2030). The six-year strategy prioritizes conflict mitigation through community engagement, habitat restoration, anti-poaching enforcement, and cross-border conservation collaboration.
The estimated budget for the plan is Rs 1.77 billion. Around 35% of the funds will focus on reducing human-snow leopard conflict, while 26% is earmarked for combating wildlife crime. Capacity building, partnership development, and community leadership are central to all strategic components.
A landmark moment in conservation
Dr. Ghanshyam Gurung, WWF Nepal’s Country Representative, described the new population figures as a “historic milestone” in Nepal’s conservation journey.
He emphasized that the findings provide a vital foundation for targeted conservation efforts and more inclusive, participatory protection measures.
According to a 2021 WWF report, only 23% of the snow leopard’s global range has been studied systematically, and population data exists for less than 3% of that range.
The new figures from Nepal mark significant progress in addressing this information gap and demonstrate the country’s leadership in high-altitude conservation.
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