https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Ladakh Emerges as Snow Leopard Stronghold with 477 Big Cats, Highest Density in India: Study

The study, led in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi, utilized over 900 strategically placed camera traps and ground surveys for signs such as footprints, feces, and scratch marks.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Leh: Ladakh has been identified as a global hotspot for snow leopards, with a newly published study estimating the population at 477 – nearly 70% of India’s total. This makes the region home to one of the highest densities of the elusive big cat in the world, according to a comprehensive survey conducted by the Union Territory’s Department of Wildlife Protection.

Spanning an assessment area of 59,000 square kilometres, researchers found that snow leopards (Panthera uncia) inhabit more than 47,500 sq km of Ladakh, making it one of the most extensive and densely populated snow leopard ranges globally. The findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One.

The study, led in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi, utilized over 900 strategically placed camera traps and ground surveys for signs such as footprints, feces, and scratch marks. A special technique involved using perfume to lure the naturally curious animals closer to the cameras, allowing researchers to identify individuals by the unique patterns on their foreheads.

Hemis National Park emerged as a critical stronghold, with snow leopard densities as high as two per 100 square kilometres, followed by Kargil and Leh regions.

Experts attribute Ladakh’s conservation success to a combination of cultural reverence for wildlife, community-based tourism focused on the snow leopard, and proactive conflict management. Notably, over 60% of the snow leopard population in Ladakh is found coexisting near human settlements – a unique ecological balance that could serve as a model for other range countries.

“The snow leopard is notoriously difficult to track due to its secretive behavior and preference for remote, mountainous regions. This makes our study one of the most extensive population assessments in the species’ global range,” the researchers stated.

The study also led to the creation of India’s first national photo-identification library for snow leopards, which can aid in tracking individuals and curbing wildlife crime.

Snow leopards are native to several Asian countries including China, Nepal, and Pakistan, but India’s Ladakh region now stands out as a leading example in both population density and innovative conservation practices.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT