Uncia uncia (Snow Leopard)

(By: Keshava Prasad Aryal )

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Uncia
Species: uncia

Conservation status

IUCN category: Endangered species
CITIES: Appendices I
NPWC Act, 2029: Protected

Status/Distribution

In Nepal Snow leopards are distributed along Nepal’s northern frontier (e.g. Mustang, Mugu, Dolpo and Humla features).

A HSIM suggests an estimated population of 350-500 animals with 27,432 Km2 of potential habitats. This data of Nepal constitutes one-tenth of the world’s snow leopard population.

Habitat and Ecology

Closely associated with the alpine and sub-alpine ecological zones, favoring steep terrain well broken by cliffs, ridges, gullies, and rocky outcrops (McCarthy et al. 2003).

Low temperatures and high aridity makes its habitat among the least productive rangeland systems in terms of graminoid biomass

Threats

Despite Nepal’s continual efforts to save snow leopard, long-term viability is threatened by

Retaliatory killing for livestock depredation
Poaching
Loss of habitat because of high density of livestock in grazing areas.
The action plan aims to resolve existing conflicts connected with livestock depredation and garner landscape-level conservation.

Ecology

Smoky grey, weighs about 35-55kg
Measures about 1.8-2.3m in length and stands 60cm at its shoulder
Short, muzzle, short fore limbs and long hind limbs for agility in steep and rugged terrain
Long tail aids in balancing on cliffs and rugged places
Large paws perhaps help them walk better on snow
Estrus cycle is 2-12 days and gestation period is 90-103 days
It is known to kill prey three times their weight. For e.g. blue sheep and musk deer are major prey species
It prefers cliffs with broken terrain, rocky outcrops and ravines where vegetation is sparse between 3000-54000m.

Conservation efforts