He told IANS the estimation revealed that its density ranged from 0.08 to 0.37 individuals per 100 sq km in the trans-Himalayan regions of Spiti, Pin Valley and upper Kinnaur with recording the highest densities, both of the predator and its prey, mainly the blue sheep (bharal) and the mountain ibex. The estimation by laying camera traps indicated an estimated population of 73 snow leopards, said Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania. The snow leopard, a graceful golden-eyed animal with thick fur, padded paws, and a long tail, is found in rocky regions at an altitude from 2,700 to 6,000 meters (8,900 ft to 20,000 ft).Īs a flagship species, Himachal has adopted it as its state animal. This fact came to light in the just-completed three-year first scientific assessment by the state wildlife wing in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation.īut the separate study points to an alarming trend too with the rise in the population of abandoned dogs that might pose a threat to the snow leopard and its food chain. Its taxonomic classification has been subject to change.The Himalayan range of Himachal Pradesh supports a good population of the wide-roaming snow leopard with a bulk of its occurrence is reported outside protected areas, indicating deep-rooted man-animal bondage. The snow leopard (Uncia uncia or Panthera uncia), sometimes known as ounce, is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia. The leopard occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five species in the genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae. Differences - Similarities - Leopard versus Snow Leopard comparison chart

Apple snow leopard species