Lost in the Lowlands: The Journey of Nepal’s Snow Leopard

In January of this year, a young snow leopard was discovered unusually far from its mountainous habitat in Nepal. This incident has sparked interest and concern among wildlife experts regarding these elusive creatures’ habits and movement patterns.

The snow leopard, identified as a male estimated to be between 1.5 and 2 years old, was found in Urlabari, a low-altitude town near the Indian border, at an altitude of only 146 meters (480 feet). Typically, snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are spotted in elevations exceeding 2,000 meters (6,600 feet). Experts suggest this ‘low-altitude’ traveler likely got lost while searching for new territory during a natural dispersal phase.

Upon recovering the snow leopard, researchers analyzed its droppings, revealing strands of blue sheep hair (Naur – Pseudois nayaur), its primary prey. This finding reinforces the theory that the animal inadvertently descended from its usual heights while hunting. The unique circumstances surrounding this incident also highlight broader ecological concerns as researchers ponder whether climate change affects snow leopard habitats.

While the Nepalese government has launched a new conservation action plan to avoid human-wildlife conflict, this snow leopard now resides in a controlled environment at Kathmandu’s central zoo. Moving forward, the focus will likely be on ensuring the species’ survival and minimizing clashes with human communities, Mongabay reported.