India’s Ladakh records World’s highest snow leopard population, study finds

New study reveals UT harbours nearly 68% of India’s elusive big cats (Image: Canva)

When winter winds nip and mountains whisper in silence, the snow leopard roams unseen. In Ladakh's quiet wilderness, this elusive hunter finds its safest haven.

A new peer-reviewed research in PLOS ONE has found Ladakh is home to the world's highest recorded density of snow leopards. With 477 animals, almost 68 per cent of India's estimated 709 snow leopards are in the Union Territory.

Ladakh's Landscape Proves Ideal for Survival

The population covers approximately 47,572 km² of Ladakh's mountainous land. The numbers globally vary from 0.92 to 1.8 per 100 km². Ladakh surpasses these levels considerably now.

Hemis National Park itself contains an amazing density of 2.07 leopards per 100 km². This number far exceeds earlier record high counts made in areas of Tibet.

Conversely, Changthang High Altitude Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary recorded the lowest leopard density across Ladakh's landscape.

Researchers indicated that approximately 39 per cent of Ladakh's snow leopards remained most of the time within protected areas. Further, 57 per cent utilized those areas as part of their broader movement patterns.

The research referred to the work as the most comprehensive snow leopard survey ever conducted in Ladakh. Scientists applied a mix of techniques such as occupancy surveys, camera traps, and spatial mark-recapture techniques.

Conservation and Culture Hand in Hand

Lead author Pankaj Raina attributed Ladakh's success in conservation to cultural values, good governance and prey population. He is a forest officer in Jammu's eco-task force.

He explained that the transition of the region from hunting ground to conservation model shows decades of community-defended protection. Harsh terrain, sparsely populated humans, and diverse prey populations assisted in the development of this sanctuary.

Raina highlighted how wildlife is supported by indigenous pastoralism. Local communities have demonstrated solid commitment to protection of the snow leopard.

Since humans and leopards coexist, the research cautioned that conservation in the future should be inclusive. Scientists emphasized this is crucial in the face of mounting development and climate pressure in the region.

Downlisting and Poaching Continue to be Major Threats

The study also expressed concern over the species' IUCN status. Snow leopards were downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable on the Red List in 2017. The move was criticized for being based on fragmented population data.

Approximately 221 to 450 snow leopards are illegally traded annually worldwide. The authors cautioned that misinformative data might damage long-term conservation.

Prey animals such as blue sheep, ibex and urial were also documented by the study throughout the landscape. An increase in leopard sightings was attributed to wild prey availability, rough terrain and lower human settlements.

Co-author Ninad Mungi stated the project demonstrates that conservation is a collective cause. He referred to the collaboration between scientists, forest departments and locals as a model for the world.

Snow leopard conservation, he further stated, is now not only scientific — but very social.