The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

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Species Ecology
Snow Leopards occur in cold, arid and semi-arid
shrub land, alpine and subalpine areas, grasslands
and open forests, favouring steep terrain
characterised by cliffs, ridges, gullies and rocky
outcrops at elevations of between 3,000 m and
5,500 m. The main prey species of Snow Leopards
are Ibex, Blue Sheep and the Himalayan Tahr,
although smaller species including Marmot, Pika,
Hares, small rodents and game birds such as the
Snowcock and Chukar Partridge also supplement
the Snow Leopard diet. Considerable predation is
reported on domestic livestock, usually goats and
sheep.
Age at first reproduction is estimated at 30 months
and females produce litters of between two to three
cubs after a gestation period of 90 to 103 days.
Captive females have been known to breed to up
to 15 years of age; however the longevity of Snow
Leopards in the wild is about 10-12 years.
Conservation Status
Global: Endangered C1
National: Endangered D
Rationale for assessment: The Snow Leopard
(Panthera uncia) has been assessed as Endangered
under criterion D in view of a small population
estimated to consist of between 300-500 individuals
overall, with less than 200 mature individuals. This
species is restricted to areas of the high Himalaya
and is limited by the lack of connectivity between
areas of suitable habitat. It is suspected that
individuals cross the northern border into China,
however these movements are not well documented
and require further research. Threats to
Snow Leopards include poaching for trade in their
pelts and retaliatory killings, often in response to
depredation on livestock which may increase as
a consequence to reductions in their natural prey
base. These threats persist on both sides of the
political border and trans-boundary research and
conservation actions will be required to prevent
further decline of this species and its habitat.
Legal Status
CITES Appendix I
Included in the CITES CoP decision 12.5 and 14.5 for
the conservation of ABC (Asian Big Cats)
Listed in the National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation Act 2029 (1973) as protected priority
species.
National Population Size
Total: 300-500
Adults: < 200
The total population of Snow Leopards existing in
the Nepal Himalaya is estimated to be 300 to 500
individuals. The global Snow Leopard population is
estimated to be 4,510 to 7,350 individuals. In east
Nepal, the populations are significantly lower due
to a more fragmented habitat.
National Distribution
Snow Leopards are distributed along the northern
border with China (Tibet) and occur within seven
mountain protected areas: Annapurna Conservation
Area, Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, Langtang
National Park, Makalu Barun National Park, Manaslu
Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park and
Shey Phoksundo National Park. The largest
populations are in the districts of Dolpo, Humla,
Mugu, Manang, Mustang and Myagdi.
Distribution outside Nepal
Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russian Federation,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
Main Threats
• Human-Snow Leopard conflict.
• Reduction of natural prey base.
• Habitat loss and fragmentation due to
deforestation, human settlements and
livestock grazing.
• None or weak trans-boundary cooperation.
• Poaching and illegal trade.