🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Nepal’s survey involved cooperation between the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and international NGOs.
In 2022, Nepal completed its first nationwide snow leopard assessment and reported an estimated 355 individuals. The survey spanned seven provinces and included remote regions bordering China and India. Researchers deployed camera traps and genetic sampling across elevations often exceeding 4,000 meters. Despite covering rugged terrain, the entire national population fits within a number smaller than many small-town populations. Nepal’s protected area network includes Sagarmatha and Annapurna regions, critical habitats for the species. The estimate reflects both conservation progress and persistent vulnerability. Population fragmentation remains a concern in isolated valleys. A predator roaming beneath the world’s tallest mountains survives in numbers countable within a single parliamentary chamber.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Nepal’s findings inform transboundary conservation agreements with neighboring countries. Shared populations require synchronized monitoring to avoid double counting or oversight. The national figure underscores the importance of protected corridors between parks. Tourism, especially trekking, intersects directly with snow leopard range. Conservation authorities must manage waste, trail expansion, and seasonal camps. The data also supports funding appeals to international conservation partners. Evidence strengthens both policy and global collaboration.
For local communities, the confirmed presence of 355 individuals highlights both ecological prestige and economic opportunity through responsible ecotourism. Yet the figure also reveals how limited the safety buffer remains. Disease outbreaks or habitat fragmentation could quickly shift trends. The snow leopard’s survival in Nepal depends on maintaining delicate balance between economic aspiration and ecological restraint. In mountains famed for conquest, coexistence becomes the real achievement.
Source
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Nepal
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