Nepal Confirms 397 Snow Leopards in Historic Conservation Breakthrough

Kathmandu: Nepal has officially identified 397 snow leopards within its borders, marking a historic achievement in the conservation of this elusive and vulnerable mountain species. This is the result of the country's first-ever national assessment of snow leopards, conducted across seven key habitats throughout the Himalayas.
The data, collected over nearly a decade (2015–2024), relied on advanced techniques such as camera trapping and genetic analysis of scat samples. The findings revealed an average density of 1.56 snow leopards per 100 square kilometres, offering valuable insights into both the animals’ population and the state of their habitats.
WWF Nepal, which supported the initiative, highlighted the importance of the study, calling it a “scientific milestone” that reinforces Nepal’s dedication to protecting snow leopards and their fragile alpine ecosystems. The assessment was coordinated by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation (DoFSC).
Dr Ram Chandra Kandel, Director General of DNPWC, described the study as “a historic step in Nepal’s conservation journey.” He emphasized that the results not only provide a clearer picture of the snow leopard population but will also guide future conservation strategies.
Badri Raj Dhungana, Director General of DoFSC, pointed out that many snow leopards reside outside Nepal’s designated protected areas, stressing the urgent need for targeted conservation in those regions.
Dr Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal, called the population baseline “a critical foundation” for participatory conservation efforts. He noted that collaboration between government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities has been essential to the success of this initiative, especially in the face of climate change and increasing infrastructure development.
Snow leopards, listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, have an estimated global adult population of fewer than 10,000. Found in 12 countries across Asia, they remain one of the least studied big cats. According to a 2021 WWF report, only 23% of their global range has been systematically studied, with fewer than 3% having robust data on population abundance.
The landmark findings from Nepal not only fill a critical knowledge gap but also offer a strong platform for long-term conservation efforts for this iconic species.