In a landmark achievement for wildlife conservation, Nepal has officially released its first consolidated national estimate of the elusive snow leopard population. According to the assessment, the country is home to 397 snow leopards, representing nearly 10% of the global population, despite Nepal encompassing only about 2% of the species’ global habitat.
The estimate, drawn from studies conducted between 2015 and 2024, is part of the global Population Assessment of the World’s Snow Leopards (PAWS) initiative under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP). Utilizing a combination of camera trapping, genetic analysis, and habitat modeling, researchers created a robust, statistically sound picture of snow leopard distribution across Nepal.
While the report covers 43% of the country’s potential snow leopard habitat, it marks a significant step toward understanding and protecting these magnificent high-altitude predators. Key habitats like Annapurna and western regions were highlighted as strongholds, though further assessments in under-surveyed areas like Dhorpatan and Api-Nampa are needed.
Nepal’s achievement underscores the importance of science-driven conservation and sets a strong foundation for future strategies to safeguard one of the Himalayas’ most iconic species.