Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Home to 13 Mature Snow Leopards, Survey Reveals

A new survey report, unveiled today to mark the 11th International Snow Leopard Day, has revealed that the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area in Nepal is home to an estimated 13 mature snow leopards. The report, based on a study conducted between April 4 and June 2, highlights the presence of a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 24 snow leopards in the 2,035 square kilometers of the Taplejung district, known as a prime habitat for these elusive animals.

The survey, which utilized a 60-day camera-trapping method, was jointly organized by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation under the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

On the occasion, Minister for Forest and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the government, local communities, and stakeholders in conserving snow leopards and increasing their population. He also expressed the government’s readiness to amend laws to curb poaching, highlighting that snow leopard conservation is a priority for Nepal.

Forest Secretary Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal commended the local communities, security agencies, and partner organizations for their cooperation in tackling conservation challenges. The event also saw the release of a photograph of a wild yak captured inside Dolpa National Park, along with a prior census report from Dolpa, which estimated the region to have 90 snow leopards.

Snow leopards, a symbol of a healthy mountain ecosystem, inhabit only 12 countries, including Nepal, where their population is estimated to be between 300 and 500. Globally, the species’ population is estimated to be between 4,000 and 6,500.

The theme for this year’s International Snow Leopard Day, “Safeguarding Snow Leopard Habitats for Future Generations,” underscores the critical need to protect the species and their shrinking habitats from the impacts of climate change and human activity.