The successful conservation of certain endangered species relies on a precise scientific evaluation of their presence and population dynamics. This data can often be volatile or lacking in scientific credibility, particularly for low-density carnivorous species like the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), which inhabit remote and challenging environments. In a recent study, a team of scientists from India’s Ladakh and Wildlife Institute employed a double sampling strategy to evaluate the population and distribution of snow leopards and their prey across the Trans-Himalaya region of Ladakh.
Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). Image credit: Union Territories, Wildlife Conservation Agency, Ladakh.
“Large carnivorous animals are among the most emblematic species, symbolizing robust ecosystems and conservation hope,” remarked Ladakh researcher Pankaj Reina alongside her colleagues from the Union Territory.
“Their position as apex predators plays a crucial role in regulating nutrition, nutrient cycling, and disease control.”
“Nevertheless, large carnivorous species face widespread extinction, significantly affecting the functionality of contemporary ecosystems.”
“Within the realm of elusive large carnivores, the snow leopard is the flagship species of the mountainous regions spanning 12 countries in South and Central Asia.”
“Snow leopards are renowned for their elusive, wide-ranging behaviors, necessitating a landscape-level approach for effective population monitoring and conservation.”
In their study, the authors investigated the population and distribution of snow leopards across a vast 59,000 km2 area of Ladakh.
Initially, they conducted a thorough survey to gather evidence of snow leopards, including tracks, droppings, and scratch marks.
They also assessed the presence of other large carnivores such as brown bears and lynx, as well as wild herbivores and livestock.
Subsequently, they deployed 956 camera traps covering over 8,500 km2 of snow leopard habitat, facilitating accurate population estimates across the region.
Using artificial intelligence, they analyzed images to identify individual snow leopards based on their unique forehead patterns.
The team estimated that Ladakh hosts approximately 477 snow leopards, representing 68% of India’s total population.
Snow leopard density was observed to vary between 1-3 individuals per 100 km2, with Hemis National Park noted for having the highest recorded density globally.
Remarkably, up to 61% of snow leopards in Ladakh coexist with human populations.
Resource-rich grasslands, characterized by moderate climates and complex terrains, tend to be prime habitats for snow leopards.
“A profound respect for wildlife among the communities in Ladakh, coupled with the economic benefits from snow leopard tourism and effective conflict management strategies, supports some of the highest snow leopard densities globally.
“To capture images of the snow leopard’s forehead, I positioned myself strategically in front of the camera.”
“This involved applying a small amount of perfume near the camera placed by a favored scented rock atop a high ridge.”
“Out of curiosity, the snow leopard lowers its head to investigate the scent, allowing us to capture invaluable photographs.”
“The fingerprinting of snow leopards employs specialized pattern recognition software that models the 3D features of the snow leopard’s forehead, extracting and cataloging spot patterns for comparison with other photographs, ensuring accurate matches.”
“This approach has significantly enhanced our work, improving the accuracy of individual identification—critical for population estimates using statistical models.”
The team’s research paper was published online in the journal PLOS ONE.
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P. Reina et al. 2025. A comprehensive assessment of snow leopard distribution and population in Ladakh, India’s Trans Himalayas: Standardisation Methods for Evidence-Based Conservation. PLOS ONE 20(5): E0322136; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322136
Source: www.sci.news
