Ladakh Union territory, home to 477 snow leopards, hosts one of the world’s highest densities of big cat population, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the country's total species, revealed the data from a study by the union territory’s Department of Wildlife Protection.
From approximately 59,000 square kilometres, researchers found that snow leopards occupied over 47,500 square kilometres said Findings are published in the journal PLOS One
Additionally, its habitat extends across mountainous regions of countries in Asia, such as India, China, Nepal and Pakistan.
Researchers said, “(A) deep-rooted reverence for wildlife among Ladakh’s communities, combined with the economic benefits from snow leopard tourism and conflict management strategies, helps sustain some of the world’s highest snow leopard densities.”
Over 60 per cent of the snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in Ladakh were found to co-exist alongside human populations.
The conservation model could be adapted and upscaled across the species’ range. The team, including researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi, added.
Researchers said the population survey puts forth a comprehensive mechanism and methodology for tracking these “highly elusive” big cats the world over.
They added that due to their shy nature and instinct to avoid human contact, they faced additional challenges while carrying out the study.
For the estimate, the team surveyed the region for evidence, such as footprints, faeces and scratch marks of snow leopards.
The presence of other carnivores, such as brown bears and lynx, wild herbivores and livestock were also assessed.
Researchers also said that they set “900 camera traps to record and spot the snow leopards. “The curious leopards lower their heads to smell the novel smell, and we have our prized photos.”
Photos captured by the cameras were then analysed to identify individual snow leopards based on the distinctive pattern of markings on their forehead.
“The snow leopards in Ladakh occupied 47,572 (square kilometres), holding globally highest extensive densities of snow leopards in Hemis National Park (two per 100 square kilometres), Kargil (1.2 per 100 square kilometres), and Leh (one per 100 kilometres), and making one of the world’s largest contiguous populations of 477 snow leopards,” the authors point out.
The study also generated a national photo library of snow leopards that could help conservationists monitor poaching and trafficking of animal parts.
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