Overview
The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is infamous for its elusive nature in the high mountain slopes of Central Asia. The leopard resides in the mountain ranges of the Altai, Tain Shan-Kun Lunk, Pamir, Hindu Kush, Karakorum and Himalayas (11). This website will focus on research conducted in the Himalayas.
Click here to see an interactive map of snow leopard Habitat (11).
The snow leopard is a key predator, important for the entire ecosystem survival. The cat has become an indicator and symbol of conservation (16). However, the species is classified by the IUCN Red List as endangered due to its rapidly declining population. The primary threats to snow leopards include;
In the last decade, climate change is also forecast to negatively affect the species through changes to their uniquely adapted habitat
Click here to see an interactive map of snow leopard Habitat (11).
The snow leopard is a key predator, important for the entire ecosystem survival. The cat has become an indicator and symbol of conservation (16). However, the species is classified by the IUCN Red List as endangered due to its rapidly declining population. The primary threats to snow leopards include;
- loss of habitat due to development such as farming,
- hunting for protection of livestock, fur or traditional medicine,
- reduction in natural prey,
- military conflict (11).
In the last decade, climate change is also forecast to negatively affect the species through changes to their uniquely adapted habitat
Header Picture: Image provided by Jackson(2010)