Snow leopards live in the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Their population has declined significantly, with estimates ranging from 3,500 to 7,000 remaining in the wild. They primarily hunt wild sheep and goats but are threatened by poaching for fur and body parts, depletion of prey, and habitat loss. Snow leopards play an important role in regulating populations of their prey in their alpine ecosystem.

2. A voice of those who can’t speak , the plight of
Endangered Animals
Prepared and Presented By:
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

3. The Snow leopard is listed in Endangered species
according to the Threatened Criteria of IUCN and WWF.
Height: About 2 feet (.6m) at shoulders.
Length: 6-7.5 feet (1.8-2.3m) (includes 40-inch (1m) tail length).
Weight: 77-120 lbs (35-55 kg).
Female snow leopards are about 30% smaller than males.
Lifespan: Their reclusive nature makes it hard to determine snow leopard lifespan in the wild.
They have, however, been known to live for as long as 21 years in captivity. Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

4. • Snow leopards are found at altitudes between 9,800 and 17,000 feet in the high, rugged mountains
of Central Asia. Their range spans from Afghanistan to Kazakhstan and Russia in the north to India and
China in the east. China contains about 60% of snow leopard habitat.
• Snow leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia. While their habitat range covers 2 million km2
(approximately the size of Greenland or Mexico), there are only between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards left
in the wild.
• Snow Leopards are closely associated with the alpine and sub-alpine ecological zones, Snow Leopards are
closely associated with the alpine and sub-alpine ecological zones, favoring steep terrain well broken by
cliffs, ridges, gullies, and rocky outcrops (McCarthy et al. 2003).
• In the Himalayas, snow leopards are usually found between 3,000 and 5,400 meters above sea level. In
Mongolia and Russia, these cats are found at lower altitudes of 1000 meters.
• At the snow leopard’s typical elevation, the climate is cold and dry, and only grasses and small shrubs can
grow on the steep mountain slopes.
• Snow leopards prefer the broken terrain of cliffs, rocky outcrops, and ravines. This type of habitat
provides good cover and clear views to help them find prey, and sneak up on it.
• At the snow leopard’s typical elevation, the climate is cold and dry, and only grasses and small shrubs can
grow on the steep mountain slopes.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

5. Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

6. Snow leopards primarily hunt wild sheep and goats. Snow leopards are also known to eat smaller animals like
rodents, hares and game birds. A nearly threatened Argali is a part of its diet, from feces study, and DNA report
show that it was Siberian Ibex predominated in diet (79.6% of the feces), followed by domestic goat (17.3%)
and Argali Sheep (8.6%). The major part of its diet was composed of ungulates (98.8% of the feces), which
include wild ungulates 79.6% and domestic livestock (19.7%)
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

7. Very rare in most of their range, an estimated 3,500 to 7,000
snow leopards are left in the wild, with 600 - 700 in zoos
around the world. Exact numbers in the wild have not been
determined due to the snow leopard’s shy nature. The Snow
Leopard Survival Strategy (McCarthy et al. 2003, Table II)
compiled national snow leopard population estimates,
updating the work of Fox (1994). Many of the estimates are
acknowledged to be rough and out of date, but the total
estimated population is 4,080-6,590, as follows:
Afghanistan: 100-200?
Bhutan: 100-200?
China: 2,000-2,500
India: 200-600
Kazakhstan: 180-200
Kyrgyzstan: 150-500
Mongolia: 500-1,000
Nepal: 300-500
Pakistan: 200-420
Russia: 150-200
Tajikistan: 180-220
Uzbekistan: 20-50 Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

8. Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

9. • Snow leopard’s habitat extends through twelve
countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan,
and Uzbekistan.
• Each individual snow leopard inhabits a defined home
range. These cats are not as aggressively territorial as other
species, but males still tend to have exclusive home ranges.
They overlap with females though.
• The amount of space each snow leopard needs differs
between landscapes. Researchers think that this depends on
the availability of prey. In areas where prey is abundant,
cats inhabit home ranges as small as 30-65 km2. In areas
where there is less prey, snow leopards need more land for
hunting and their home ranges may be over 1,000 km2.
• Snow leopards are nomadic, and constantly move around
their home ranges to hunt and leaving markings that
prevent other cats from moving in. These cats often travel
along ridge lines and cliff bases, and choose bedding sites
with good views over the surrounding terrain.
• Snow leopards have also been known to make long treks
out of their home ranges, covering great distances in a
short period of time. With habitat mapping technology, we
documented a snow leopard travel across 27 miles of open
desert in a single night!
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

10. Snow leopards occur in the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Pamir mountains of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province (Chitral
District and northern parts of Swat District); Gilgit-Baltistan province (all seven districts but major strongholds in
Hunza-Nagar, Gilgit and Skardu) and Azad Kashmir (presence limited to Neelam District, particularly in Shontar and
Gurez valleys).
The total area of habitat available is about 80,000 km2 and the population is estimated at 200-300. Over 60% of the
range is in Gilgit-Baltistan, mainly in two adjoining PAs: Khunjerab NP and Central Karakoram NP. With the
notification of Broghil National Park and Qurumber National Park and other protected areas, the total area under
protection rises to over 37,000 km2 .
With the exception of Khunjerab and Central Karakoram NPs, most reserves are too small to protect more than a very
few animals. Through sign-based occupancy and intensive camera trappings since 2011, the Snow Leopard Foundation
has confirmed presence of the species over large landscapes, starting from Gahriat Gol and Chitral Gol in the west to
the Karakoram ranges in the east, including Torkho, Laspur, Mastuj and Broghil valleys in Chitral District, and
Qurumber, Misgar, Chuparson, Phandar, Khunjerab, Shimshal, Shigar, and Astore valleys and in peripheral valleys of
Deosai in Gilgit Baltistan. Though the densities 16 in these areas have not yet been estimated, the highest photo-capture
rate of the species was in Shimshal, Khunjerab, and Misgar valleys, where good populations were also reported by
Wegge (1988) based on Ounce signs.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

11. I. Snow leopards prefer to inhabit steep cliff areas, rocky outcrops and ravines. Such habitats
provide them with the camouflage they need to ambush unsuspecting prey. They stalk their
prey and usually spring from a distance of 20 - 50 feet. Their long and powerful hind limbs
help snow leopards leap up to 30 feet, which is six times their body length.
II. Mostly active at dawn and dusk, snow leopards are rarely seen in the wild. Unlike other
big cats, snow leopards are unable to roar. Solitary in nature, they pair only during the
breeding season.
Swift and silent as the falling snow,
these adeptly named big cats stalk
wild sheep, goats and other mountain
mammals across some of Central
Asia’s rockiest terrain.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

12. As the top predator in the high mountains of Inner Asia, the snow leopard plays an important
ecological role in controlling the populations and health of the wild ungulate species it preys on.
Snow Leopards are predators, which means they eat meat. They are heterotrophs, meaning they
get their energy from something else and do not create it themselves. Their typical prey is Blue
Sheep. They have also been known to feed on Argali Wild Sheep, Siberian Ibex, marmots, pikas,
hares, Tibetan snowcock, and Chukor Partridge. As you can see, Snow Leopards are primarily
responsible for keeping numerous populations of animals in check. If they were to disappear, there
would be too much prey and not enough predators. The herbivore population will skyrocket, but it
will not be able to stay that way. Why? There will not be enough plants to support all those
animals! Herbivores of all kinds will start to starve to death. So not only will Snow Leopards
going extinct be a problem for Snow Leopards themselves, but their death could cause the
downfall of many other important organisms in our world. Snow Leopards have an important role
in their ecosystem.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

13. There are three main reasons that snow leopards are in trouble.
• The first reason is that the bones, skin and organs of large cats are valuable in traditional Asian medicine.
• Snow leopard fur and skin also used for trophy possessions
• Snow leopard fur also used for cloak, jackets and in other ware products.
• Snow leopard pet possession.
• Its teeth and claws are also used for medicines and jewelry items
• Live snow leopards are of economic importance to zoos. They are displayed to the public for entertainment and
research and bring in many tourists. The fact that snow leopard in the wild are extremely reclusive and difficult to
find makes this even more important. (macri and Patterson-Kane 2011).
“Genetic analysis revealed that 50% of samples contained DNA of
undeclared plant or animal taxa, including an endangered species
of Panthera (Snow Leopard). In 50% of the TCMs, an undeclared
pharmaceutical agent was detected including Warfarin,
Dexamethasone, Diclofenac, Cyproheptadine and Paracetamol.
Mass spectrometry revealed heavy metals including Arsenic, Lead
and Cadmium, one with a level of arsenic >10 times the acceptable
limit. The study showed 92% of the TCMs examined were found
to have some form of contamination and or substitution.” Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

14. This elusive cat is facing a number of threats, including Major threats
to the Snow Leopard include prey base depletion, illegal trade, conflict
with local people, and lack of conservation capacity, policy and
awareness. The Snow Leopard Survival Strategy assessed primary
threats by region as follows. (McCarthy et al. 2003)
1. Pouching
As the trade with snow leopard parts happens in the dark, data is hard
to come by. Between 2008 and 2017 alone, one snow leopard has
reportedly been killed and traded every day - 220 to 450 cats per
year. The true extent of the problem is thought to be even bigger.
2. Resource’s Pouching
Pouching also takes away the snow leopard’s resources. Its main prey species wild sheep and goat are also threatened by
illegal or unsustainable hunting in many parts of the snow leopard range. If their populations decline so do the snow leopard.
3. Killing as Revenge
Wild snow leopards and their prey species share their habitat with domestic livestock. As more and more domestic animals
find their way into the snow leopard’s habitat, the cat occasionally preys on them and kills them. For the herders, who are
often economically disadvantaged, such losses are catastrophic. To protect their herds and livelihoods, herders sometimes kill
snow leopards in retribution. This may account for more than half of all snow leopard killings.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

15. 4. Habitat Degradation and Fragmentation
Habitat degradation and fragmentation due to mobility and reach of
human in immobile areas which were not in direct human reach in past,
roads and irrigations canals split the habitat in fragments.
5. Mining
As if that were not enough, the snow leopard also faces threats that
could destroy the mountain ecosystem it relies on such as mining and
other large scale developments.
6. Climate Change
Climate Change poses new challenges as well. Temperatures are on the
rise across the mountains of Central Asia. The Tibetan plateau, home to
more than half of the remaining snow leopards, has already gotten 3
degrees warmer in the last 20 years. The changes impact the entire
ecosystem: vegetation, water supplies, animals – and they threaten to
make up to a third of the snow leopard’s habitat unusable.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

16. • Included on CITES Appendix I (as Uncia uncia). Is legally protected from hunting by national legislation across most of its
12 range states (McCarthy et al. 2003). Afghanistan has recently afforded the Snow Leopard legal protection, after listing the
species on the country’s first Protected Species List in 2009. This bans all hunting and trading of Snow Leopards within
Afghanistan.
• The Snow Leopard Survival Strategy (McCarthy et al. 2003) recommends the following conservation measures:
Grazing management and livestock husbandry: promote livestock grazing practices that reduce impacts on native wildlife,
especially large ungulates; promote husbandry practices which reduce livestock vulnerability to snow leopard predation and
improve efficiency and yield;
• Financial incentives for communities to conserve snow leopards (Mishra et al. 2003): including wildlife-based ecotourism
(e.g., snow leopard treks: Snow Leopard Conservancy 2008), cottage industry (e.g., village-made handicrafts: Snow Leopard
Trust 2008), and well-structured ungulate trophy hunting programs;
• Improve conservation education and awareness among a variety of stakeholders, from local communities to national
governments to an international audience.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

17. • Strengthen national legislation and conservation policies by filling gaps in range state legislation to prohibit the
hunting, killing, possession, sale and trade of Snow Leopards, including all body parts and derivatives, at local
regional and national levels; offering legal assistance and advice to governments; mete out sufficient deterrent
penalties to law-breakers, and consider "whistle-blower" policies to provide incentives to report illegal activities;
• Strengthen law enforcement capacity by tightening controls along known trade routes, and at markets and border
crossings; improve inter-agency cooperation and intelligence sharing; establish anti-poaching teams to detect and deter
illegal killing; carry out regular monitoring of major markets and trade centres; and improve technical capacity
through training;
• Strengthen international cooperation to enforce trade bans through adherence to CITES resolutions. (Nowell 2007).
• An International Conference on Range-wide Conservation Planning for Snow Leopards held in Beijing, China in
March 2008 identified important areas for Snow Leopard conservation (Snow Leopard Conservation Units) and
provided a framework for the development of national action plans. Four countries have existing national action plans
(Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal and Russia: McCarthy et al. 2003).
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

18. 1. Snow Leopard Foundation
2. Snow Leopard Trust
3. An International Conference on Range-wide Conservation Planning for Snow Leopards held in Beijing, Pakistan
was a member of this conference.
Started operations in Pakistan in 2006 and was registered under Companies Ordinance of 1984 and Securities &
Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
SLF aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people, who share the fragile mountain ecosystem with
carnivores beside research & other academic prolific achievements.
i. Human-Carnivores interaction surveys
ii. Occupancy surveys
iii. Camera trapping
iv. Genetic studies
v. Habitat Modeling
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

19. The Snow Leopard Trust is the largest and oldest organization working solely to protect the endangered
snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its habitat in 12 countries of Central Asia. The trust is a non-profit
organization with its headquarters in Seattle, Washington. The present total population of snow leopards
in the wild is estimated at between 3,920 and 6,390.
These conservation programs must meet four important goals
• The protection of snow leopards and their habitat, involving local
communities in this effort
• An improved quality of life for the members of the community
• The program developed must have a path to becoming self-
sufficient so long term it is not dependent on donor dollars
• The results of the program must be verifiable through monitoring
programs.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

20. Our goal is to transform snow leopards from being perceived as pests by herders
into assets valued more alive than dead.
 People have moved their livestock into snow leopard habitat,
crowding out the cats’ native prey. Then, when cats prey on
livestock, herders kill them in retaliation.
Snow Leopard Conservancy developed innovative, community-
based livestock corral predator-proofing programs.
 Habitat loss and fragmentation also threaten the snow
leopard.
Snow Leopard Conservancy and its partners have led the way in
radio-tracking, trail camera monitoring, and community-
based eco-tourism and livestock insurance programs.
 Snow Leopards are poached for their bones, skin, and organs
which are used in traditional Asian medicine.
Snow Leopard Conservancy and its partners developed Snow
Leopard Day festivals and community-based conservation
education for herder communities and school children.
Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605

21. Muteeb Khan
16-Arid-605