Snow Leopard
Indian Express

About

• The Snow Leopard is a large cat species belonging to the genus Panthera, part of the family Felidae, native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.

Characteristics

• Cold Adaptation: Equipped for life in cold, mountainous environments.
• Ears: Small, rounded ears to minimize heat loss.
• Paws: Broad paws distribute body weight, facilitating movement on snow.
• Grip: Fur on the undersides enhances grip on steep and unstable surfaces.
• Tail: Long, flexible tail aids in balance over rocky terrain.

Distribution

• Found across the mountainous regions of Central Asia, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim in India.

Conservation Status

• IUCN List: Vulnerable.
• CITES: Appendix I.
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I.

Indian Conservation Efforts

• Flagship Species: Snow leopards are a key species for the high-altitude Himalayas.
• Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme: India has been a participant since 2013.
• HimalSanrakshak: Launched in October 2020, this community volunteer programme supports snow leopard conservation.
• Project Snow Leopard (PSL): Initiated in 2009, promoting an inclusive approach for snow leopard habitat conservation.
• Recovery Programme: Listed among the 21 critically endangered species for recovery efforts by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Threats

• Loss of natural prey species, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal trade in fur and bones are the primary threats.