Pakistan Ranks 4th Globally with 167 Snow Leopards

Tayyab Zarif

Islamabad: In a groundbreaking development for wildlife conservation, Pakistan has released its first-ever scientific estimate of the snow leopard population, placing the country fourth globally among the 12 snow leopard range nations.

The survey has identified 167 individual snow leopards across Pakistan’s high-altitude regions.

The milestone was announced during the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2025, organized by the Snow Leopard Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC).

The event brought together environmental experts, diplomats, educators, students, journalists, and conservation activists to celebrate Pakistan’s growing role in protecting endangered species.

Based on over 15 years of rigorous fieldwork—including camera trapping, tracking, and data analysis—the Snow Leopard Foundation confirmed the findings, which provide a vital scientific basis for future conservation strategies.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pakistan-honors-wildlife-heroes-at-2025-protection-awards/

Speaking at the event, Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change, praised the frontline rangers and researchers as “the true heroes of our wildlife,” acknowledging their critical contribution to Pakistan’s climate resilience and environmental security.

Seven field staff members and rangers from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir were honored for their exceptional commitment and bravery in wildlife protection. Awardees included Muhammad Ismail (AJK), Sher Afghan Ali, Muhammad Raza, Sakhawat Ali, Israr Ullah, Muhammad Saleem, and Mehboob Shah.

Wildlife Ambassador Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari also underscored the broader importance of wildlife protection, stating, “Saving wildlife means preserving entire ecosystems and securing the future for the next generations.”

The ceremony featured the screening of a short documentary, “Beyond Borders – The Heartbeat of Chitral Rangers,” capturing the lives, challenges, and sacrifices of conservation workers operating in Pakistan’s remote mountainous terrains.

With a population of 167 snow leopards, Pakistan now ranks behind China (2,000–2,500), Mongolia (approx. 1,000), and India (500–700). These countries, with vast and rugged mountain terrains, serve as critical habitats for this elusive species.

Globally, snow leopard numbers are estimated between 3,500 and 7,000, with populations spread across 12 countries in Central and South Asia.

However, threats such as habitat degradation, declining prey, climate change, poaching, infrastructure expansion, and conflict with herders continue to put pressure on their survival.

Local communities, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan, are increasingly participating in eco-tourism and anti-poaching initiatives, playing an essential role in conservation efforts. The Snow Leopard Foundation and MoCC&EC reaffirmed their commitment to expanding these efforts and investing in long-term research and protection.

This landmark population survey not only strengthens Pakistan’s environmental credentials but also lays the groundwork for coordinated national and transboundary efforts to protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered big cats.