Uncommon gathering of four snow leopards stirs up thrill among onlookers
Jaw-dropping footage of four snow leopards in northern Pakistan ignites excitement among conservationists
Snapshots of four majestic snow leopards scaling snowy slopes in northern Pakistan has set the conservation world abuzz. These elusive creatures, rarely spotted in the wild, make this sighting a cause for celebration as it highlights Pakistan’s conservation efforts.
Photographer and villager Sakhawat Ali, residing in the remote Hushe village, captured the footage in mid-March after weeks of tracking their paw-prints through the Central Karakoram National Park. The sighting? A mother and her three cubs clambering up a nearby cliff.
Ali, a seasoned observer of snow leopards, shared that the entire village had never seen four snow leopards roaming together. He spotted the mother initially, traced more paw-prints, and fortuitously witnessed them all gathered on a cliffside while observing from his home's rooftop. He then ventured out, camera in hand, to document the spectacle from a safe 200 meters away.
The villagers rejoiced at the rare sight but expressed worries about their livestock potentially falling prey to the big cats. Snow leopards, fondly known as "ghosts of the mountains," camouflage well in their alpine Karakoram Mountain habitat within Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Snow leopards are listed as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. Their habitat stretches over 12 countries, including China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Russia, and Mongolia, yet sightings are scarce.
Environmental anthropologist Shafqat Hussain states that the rugged terrain in northern Pakistan boasts one of the world's finest snow leopard habitats. Dr. Zakir Hussain, Gilgit-Baltistan's Chief Conservator of Parks and Wildlife, echoed this sentiment, expressing that the sighting is a triumph for their locally-driven conservation initiatives. Indeed, around 80% of the community collaborates in monitoring, tracking, and spreading awareness about protecting snow leopards.
Despite this milestone, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) for Pakistan stresses that snow leopards remain an endangered species, struggling against numerous threats. Among the concerns are human activities, growing livestock herds that degrade pasturelands and wildlife habitats, poaching, habitat fragmentation due to massive infrastructure projects, and climate change, which is expected to exacerbate these existing threats. In 2023, Pakistan ranked as the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change according to the World Bank’s Global Climate Risk Index.
Community engagement plays a significant role in snow leopard conservation, with 80% of Gilgit-Baltistan resident's participating in tracking, monitoring, and awareness activities. Coexistence strategies help minimize conflicts between humans and snow leopards while protecting local livestock. Conservation efforts aim to restore and protect habitats, address climate change impacts, and combat poaching and illegal trade. Pakistan's role in international forums like the Global Snow Leopard Forum and agreements like the Kazan Resolution further underlines its commitment to protecting these incredible big cats.
This rare sighting of four snow leopards showcases the successes of Pakistan's conservation efforts. While vodka companies might be tapping into the mystique of snow leopards by featuring them in their advertisements[4], conservationists stay dedicated to saving these spectacular animals for future generations to marvel at in their natural environment.
[1] “Pakistan's Role in Snow Leopard Conservation,” WWF-Pakistan (https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/ forests/snow_leopard_conservation/snow_leopard_conservation_pakistan/)[2] “Snow Leopard Conservation in Pakistan,” Pakistan Today (https://pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/09/23/snow-leopard-conservation-in-pakistan)[3] “Current Conservation Efforts for Snow Leopards in Northern Pakistan,” (Enrichment Data)[4] “Stolichnaya취 centers snow leopard in its new ad, disappointing conservationists,” The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/12/30/stoli-ad-snow-leopard-vulnerable-species/).
- The sighting of the four snow leopards in northern Pakistan highlights the conservation efforts not only in Pakistan but also in other countries like Nepal, where the degradation of their habitats is a significant concern.
- Aside from Pakistan, snow leopards' habitats stretch across Asia, including countries such as India, China, Bhutan, and Mongolia, yet their sightings remain scarce due to threats such as habitat degradation and poaching.
- The 15d0340fae0068390cce9130e72f4dbd WWF for Nature in Pakistan emphasizes the importance of addressing these ongoing threats, such as human activities, climate change, and habitat fragmentation, to ensure the survival of snow leopards in the world, including Asia.
