Whether it is the cold Himalayan region that earns its living or the flat plateaus of Bhot, the snow leopard has made it its habitat. Hearing the name of this wild animal, which few people have the privilege of seeing, creates fear and terror. It has also made its mark as a mysterious predator. However, it is equally fascinating and charming when seen.

The snow leopard looks more beautiful and charming than other leopards. Everyone is thrilled to see it. The snow leopard is a different type, different body, unique nature, and lives in a different habitat than other leopards. It is the most beautiful and attractive carnivore of the big cat species. People all over the world are very excited and eager to see it. It is beautiful in itself, especially since it is found around the White Mountains. There are also those who consider themselves lucky to see the snow leopard.

Problems such as climate change, habitat loss, destruction and fragmentation, and poaching have added challenges to snow leopard conservation. As climate change has affected the high Himalayan region more, the loss of habitat has reduced its natural food species, said Dr. Hemsagar Baral, Nepal representative of The Snow Leopard Trust, America. While the main food is the snow leopard, its declining numbers have added to the problem.

If the snow leopard leaves its current habitat and looks for another habitat due to lack of food, it may be in danger. When moving to another habitat, there is also a risk of being killed out of revenge or being killed or injured in a fight with other snow leopards, said Dr. Baral. Therefore, on World Snow Leopard Day, which falls on October 23, the message is that everyone should give at least 23 minutes for snow leopard conservation, he said.

The number of beautiful snow leopards that attract everyone has been made public in Nepal. The number has been identified through genetic surveys and camera trap methods conducted from 2015 to 2025.

This number was discovered through a scientific study conducted in Nepal's Kanchenjunga, Gaurishankar, Manaslu-Annapurna Conservation Area and the Assas area, as well as eastern Dolpa, Shey-Phoksundo and Humla. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation made this fact public in the first snow leopard survey report conducted in Nepal last Baisakh.

Conservationists are excited after a good number of snow leopards were found in Nepal after the survey. Dr. Naresh Subedi, Member-Secretary of the National Nature Conservation Trust, said that if a trail for snow leopard viewing can be developed, the country can earn good income.

'There is a lot of potential for snow leopard viewing tourism in Nepal,' he said. 'Just as foreigners come to Nepal to see tigers, we can show them snow leopards.' He also said that tourists who can spend more than those who come to see tigers come to see snow leopards. ‘This will benefit the country’s economy and local employment,’ he said. ‘If we can develop a snow leopard trail in places where snow leopards are found targeting tourists who go trekking and link it to the livelihood of the locals, it will become an attraction for everyone.’ He also said that this will add to the attraction of another tourist product like the tiger.

Nepal accounts for 10 percent of the world’s snow leopard population. Nepal accounts for two percent of the world’s snow leopard population. 30 percent of the potential habitat of snow leopards in Nepal is in protected areas and 70 percent of the habitat is outside protected areas. This has also become a challenge. In the world, snow leopards are found in the mountainous and hilly regions of Nepal, as well as Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Since they are found in the Himalayas in Nepal, they are called snow leopards in Nepali. It is called Pangchen or Panche in the Thakali language, Moto in the Gurung language, Serchen in the Tamang language, and Sarken in the Tibetan community. It is known by different names in different countries. Although it is said to be found at an altitude of 2,700 meters to 5,600 meters in Nepal, evidence has been found that it has been found at an altitude of 6,000 meters.

Considered endangered and rare, it contributes well to the conservation of mountain biodiversity. For this reason, it is also called an indicator species of a clean ecosystem in the Himalayan region. It naturally controls and balances by feeding on sick and weak deer, ungulates, ghorals, musk deer, thar and sable. If the snow leopard's diet is more than what wildlife needs, it can cause damage by eating local vegetation and crops. The snow leopard also keeps these wild animals healthy and strong by preventing them from growing too much.

It is also called the umbrella species of the Himalayan region. It contributes like an umbrella to protect the Naur, Jharal, Ghoral, Musk Deer and Thar from the sun. That is why where there is a snow leopard, there are Naur, Jharal, Ghoral and Musk Deer in abundance. According to Rinjin Phunchok Lama, a Rolex Award winner and snow leopard expert for his good work in snow leopard conservation, the snow leopard plays a good role in balancing the numbers of these wild animals.

‘It is slightly smaller than a normal leopard and is covered with thick fur,’ he said, ‘It has small black spots on its legs and face. It has a relatively large head and a long tail. The pale smoky gray body has large dark brown spots. He also said that since its paws are much larger than its body, it can easily catch large prey. _{A snow leopard seen in the Annapurna Conservation Area. Photo courtesy: Chungba Sherpa}

The thick and long fur on its body helps it survive in the high Himalayan regions where temperatures can reach minus 40 degrees Celsius, said Professor Karan Bahadur Shah, who has been researching snow leopards for a long time. “The snow leopard’s body seems to have evolved to survive the harsh weather and remoteness of the Himalayan region,” he said.

According to Nepali Wikipedia, the snout is short and the nostrils are large. This makes it easier to breathe in the Himalayan region. Its body has light brown long and thick fur. The eyes are blue or green, and the paws are large, which allows them to walk easily on snow. The long and flexible tail helps balance the body when walking on rocky terrain.

It lives in open cliffs, mountains, gorges, forests and rocky mountains in the Himalayan region. Like the spotted leopard and the clouded tiger, it also lives alone after determining its territory. It leaves a mark of its presence on stones or rocks by scratching with both feet, defecating and urinating. Professor Shah said that it is found that it leaves more such marks during mating.

The maximum weight of the male is 45 to 55 kg, while the female is only 35 to 40 kg. Its legs are short, suitable for the Himalayan mountains. The snow leopard has a broad forehead and a raised chin. The body is covered with light brown fur, although the fur is close to the back, the entire body is covered with long hair up to about 12 centimeters. Such fur makes it easier to sit on the cold ground. Its body is covered with white hair overall. At a glance, it seems that the tail is longer than the body.