Elusive snow leopard spotted in Spiti district

In a rare sighting, a snow leopard, which is categorised as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List made an appearance in Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

The video shared by Twitter user Susanta Nanda shows the big cat strolling down a snow-filled road in the northern Himalayan region.

Nanda wrote: "Majestic grandeur in the tranquility of Spiti District Snow leopard is the most beautiful & mystical big cats with grey/green eyes, unlike the yellow eyes of other big cats. Tails as long as de body& 5inch fur at the bottom to survive cold weathe(r), rare to see these ghost of de mountain" (sic)

Majestic grandeur in the tranquility of Spiti District Snow leopard is the most beautiful & mystical big cats with grey/green eyes,unlike the yellow eyes of other big cats.Tails as long as de body& 5inch fur at bottom to survive cold weathe,rare to see these ghost of de mountain pic.twitter.com/iiEAGaWgop

— Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) February 17, 2020

The video went viral on social media and quickly garnered interaction and praise from multiple Twitter users. Nanda in replies to his tweet specified the animal was spotted in village Hikkim of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. 

This is from village Hikkim of Lahaul & Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh.

— Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) February 17, 2020

One user wondered: "Amazing. Wonder what made such an elusive and shy animal come so close to the road and car."

Amazing. Wonder what made such an elusive and shy animal come so close to the road and car.

— Rajesh Kalra (@rajeshkalra) February 17, 2020

While another user exclaimed: "Snow leopard on a motor road!! Amazing video!"

Snow leopard on a motor road!! Amazing video!

— Travelogist (@Travelogist1) February 18, 2020

Native to central and southern Asia, the Indian snow leopard population is estimated at roughly 200–600 across about 25 protected areas. According to the IUCN Red List, a species numbering below 10,000 and expected to see a decline of 10 percent by 2040 is listed as vulnerable.