Snow Leopards | 15 May 2024

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recently there was a significant discovery of snow leopards in the Kishtwar High Altitude National Park of Jammu and Kashmir's Chenab Valley region by a team of scientists.

• This discovery holds importance for snow leopard conservation in India, shedding light on a lesser-known population of this apex predator.

Why is the Sighting Significant?

• Importance of the Discovery:
  • Snow leopards are highlighted as an apex predator and a flagship species of High Mountain Asia.
  • India's role as home to 2% of the global snow leopard range emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts.
    • The occupancy and abundance of the snow leopard is poorly known across its range in India.
  • India is home to 718 snow leopards, most of whom live in areas that are not under legal protection.
    • Population surveys in the Western Himalayas have been limited to Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• Findings:
  • Snow leopards were found at altitudes ranging from 3,004 to 3,878 meters.
    • This is mostly an arid alpine region above the treeline, with steep and rugged terrain flanked by high-altitude pastures of junipers, grasses, and legumes on rolling hills.
  • Anthropogenic pressure, particularly from livestock grazing, was observed in certain catchments, posing threats to habitat and prey availability.
    • This could lead to human-wildlife conflict and drive the snow leopard and its prey into suboptimal areas, thus exposing them to other threats.

What are the Characteristics of Snow Leopard?

• Some Key Facts:
  • Physical Features
    • Height: 55-65 cm (22 – 26 inches)
    • Length: 90 – 115 cm (36 – 44 inches)
  • Its extra large paws act like a pair of natural snow shoes preventing the cat from sinking into the snow.
  • Its round, short ears reduce heat loss, and the wide, short nasal cavity warms the air before it reaches the cat’s lungs.
  • The cat has strong, short front limbs and longer hind limbs helping launch the cat up to 30 feet (10 meters) in one leap.
  • Its extra long tail helps the cat keep its balance and provides extra warmth when it’s wrapped around the body.
  • Unlike other big cats, snow leopards can't roar.
  • Despite being called the snow 'leopard', this big cat is more closely related to the tiger than the leopard.