By Shirish B Pradhan
KATHMANDU: (Apr 22) The first-ever national estimation of snow leopards in Nepal has determined the population of the elusive mountain cat at 397 based on an assessment spanning seven key habitats across the Himalayan nation.
This marks a major milestone in the conservation of this iconic Himalayan species, experts said.
Based on the data collected from 2015 to 2024 using camera traps and genetic analysis of scat samples, the average density of snow leopards is found to be 1.56 per 100 square kilometres providing critical insights into the status of snow leopards and their habitats across Nepal, a statement said here.
