Snow leopards face growing threats in Gilgit-Baltistan: experts

Snow leopards face growing threats in Gilgit-Baltistan: experts

GILGIT: The snow leopard, an iconic yet increasingly threatened species, faces mounting risks to its survival in Gilgit-Baltistan, which hosts Pakistan’s largest snow leopard habitat. Governmental neglect, poaching driven by illegal wildlife trade, climate change, human-wildlife conflict and other threats are putting the elusive big cat’s future at risk. International Snow Leopard Day was marked on a small scale in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday, reflecting the government’s lack of attention and the perceived negligence of private organisations towards protecting the endangered species. In a statement issued on International Snow Leopard Day, the United Nations said the snow leopard played a key role in maintaining the balance of mountain ecosystems. It said the majestic big cat was threatened by climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. According to a study conducted by the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) from 2009 to 2019, only 167 of these rare animals remained in Pakistan. Previously, the country’s snow leopard population had been estimated at 250 to 450. Dr Hussain Ali, the paper’s author and a senior regional programme manager at the SLF, told Dawn that it was the first scientific research of its kind in Pakistan. Previously, snow leopard numbers had been estimated on the basis of suggestions and assumptions, he said. Experts and environmentalists said the protection of snow leopards remained a low priority, with no proper population monitoring or scientific research conducted in Gilgit-Baltistan, which accounts for the largest share of Pakistan’s snow leopard habitat. According to shepherds and indigenous knowledge, the big cat’s population had declined in the region, raising concerns about its possible extinction. Ali Haider, a resident of Hisper Nagar, a well-known snow leopard habitat, told Dawn that there was no conservancy or protection plan in the valley. Local residents, particularly shepherds who spend time with livestock and yaks in upper areas, have observed a decline in the snow leopard population over time. Snow leopards share much of their range with pastoral communities, and when a big cat kills livestock, retaliatory killings can follow. Experts said snow leopards were being killed by poisoning carcasses or through direct shooting in retaliation for attacks on livestock. The animals were also killed in many areas for their skins and bones, which were illegally sold at high prices on the black market. Their skins were considered status symbols, while their bones were used in traditional medicine recipes. Experts said some cases of snow leopard killings had been reported, while the majority went unreported, allowing illegal killings to continue unchecked. Snow leopards use large home ranges, and young cats may travel between separate mountain systems. Roads, mining, fences and other tourism infrastructure fragment their habitat and interrupt these movements. Shifting weather patterns, snow drought and changes in vegetation and water availability have also affected their habitat. Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Conservator of Parks and Wildlife Zakir Hussain said the snow leopard population was declining in the region due to human-induced factors. Human-wildlife conflict, retaliatory killings and habitat fragmentation were major threats to the species, he said. Zakir Hussain said the depletion of natural prey was another major threat to the snow leopard population. Snow leopard habitats are situated at altitudes above 5,100 metres, and the animals depend on wild ungulates such as ibex, blue sheep, markhor, Ladakh urial and Marco Polo sheep in Gilgit-Baltistan. “Illegal hunting of wild species reduces their populations, ultimately forcing snow leopards to attack livestock or move down towards human settlements,” he said. The loss of natural prey forced snow leopards to prey on livestock, prompting owners to kill the animals in retaliation, he added. Climate-induced changes also contributed to their decline, he said. He said that in areas of Gilgit-Baltistan where conservation measures and wildlife protection were effective and natural prey populations had increased, snow leopard populations were showing positive trends. “To ensure the protection and long-term survival of snow leopards, we have been working for the past six to seven years to establish a compensation mechanism for livestock losses,” Zakir Hussain said. Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026