Islamabad:
At an innovative moment for the conservation of wildlife, Pakistan has presented its first scientific estimate of the Las Nieves Leopard population, 167 individuals, placing the country in number four worldwide among the nations of the Las Nieves Leopard range. This marks an important milestone in Pakistan’s environmental research and conservation efforts.
The announcement was made during the Wildlife Protection Awards of Pakistan 2025, organized by the Snow Leopard Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MOCC and EC).
The ceremony also presented the projection of a documentary entitled “Beyond Borders, the heartbeat of the Chitral Rangers”, which shows the harsh realities and sacrifices of those who work in remote and great altitude land to safeguard the natural heritage of Pakistan.
The Snow Leopard and Mocc & EC Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to advance conservation research and expand protection efforts for snow leopards and other endangered species in Pakistan.
The snow leopards face increasing threats due to habitat degradation, reduced prey populations and climate change. The expansion of infrastructure, poaching and conflict with shepherds continue to endanger their survival, making precise population data essential for directed conservation.
The three countries with higher populations are China, Mongolia and India. China organizes the largest number of snow leopards, with an estimate of 2,000 to 2,500 individuals, due to its vast mountain land that covers several provinces. Mongolia continues with about 1,000 snow leopards, which benefit from their remote and resistant landscapes that provide ideal habitats. India occupies the third place, with an estimated population between 500 and 700, which is mainly found in the Himalayas regions. These countries play a crucial role in the global conservation of this evasive and in danger of extinction.
Worldwide, it is estimated that the town of Leopardo de las Nieves extends between 3,500 and 7,000 people, distributed in 12 countries in the center and south of Asia. This underlines the importance of Pakistan’s role in the survival of this iconic and vulnerable species.
