Snow leopards serve as a keystone species in their high-altitude habitats, acting as top predators and indicators of the ecological health of these regions. Their presence signifies a thriving ecosystem, which supports numerous other species and maintains some of the planet’s largest freshwater reserves. Found across 12 countries in northern Asia—including the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan, Tian Shan, and Altai mountain ranges—these elusive cats are sparsely distributed. Notably, Mongolia is home to approximately 20% of the global snow leopard population.
Classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the global population of snow leopards is estimated to be between 2,500 and 10,000 mature individuals. This population is believed to have declined by 10% over the last three generations. However, precise data is challenging to obtain, as over 70% of potential snow leopard habitats remain unexplored.
Snow leopards face several threats, including climate change, habitat fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict, which often leads to retaliatory killings. Additionally, they are poached for the illegal trade of their fur and other body parts.