Snow Leopards Thriving in Ladakh's Heights

A recent study published in PLOS ONE estimates India’s snow leopard (Panthera uncia) population at 709 individuals, with an impressive 68%—about 477 leopards—found in the Union Territory of Ladakh. This highlights Ladakh as a vital stronghold for the conservation of this elusive and endangered big cat, marking a significant success story in Himalayan wildlife protection efforts.

For decades, the snow leopard in Ladakh was more myth than reality. Locally referred to as the shan, a silent, vanished predator that left behind only a series of paw prints in the snow. The dream of every tourist was to get just a glimpse, the focus of every wildlife biologist was the scant clues, and conservationists kept even a tiny hope alive. And then, instantly, the ghost emerged.

The largest scientific survey of its kind ever done, conducted in 2025, which has been published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE, puts the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) population in India at 709 individuals, of which 477 are in Ladakh. The steep, cold, vast, wind-lashed mountains of Ladakh are now officially the most thriving habitat for snow leopards on the planet. Not only does this change our understanding of wildlife in Ladakh, but it also opens a powerful chapter of the story of snow leopard conservation in Ladakh.

The Recording Strategy

Frankly, taking account of the snow leopards is not the same as counting sheep. As these big cats are perfectly hidden amongst rocky, mountainous terrain. But the clever science came into play to save the day. This is not just a win for conservation. It is a story of a massive comeback.

In what is being called the most expansive study of its kind, scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India and the Snow Leopard Trust mapped over 47,000 square kilometers of landscape in Ladakh.
Teams set up 956 motion-sensitive camera traps, surveyed over 6,000 km, and took approximately 26,000 images for the count and individual identification of the thriving snow leopard population in Ladakh through spot patterns, based on their foreheads. Additionally, the teams frequently used perfume to attract leopards to get a good close look at their faces and features.
Followed by the AI facial recognition software to be able to track leopards individually.
The researchers also recorded more than 9,500 signs of snow leopards, identified by intriguing characteristics such as scrapes, scat, and paw prints.
And just like that, the final tally says that there are 477 snow leopards, a monumental number that confirms Ladakh now encapsulates close to 68% of India’s snow leopard population.

Humans & Snow Leopards: A Matter of Rarity

Now here’s the most beautiful part: approximately 60% of Ladakh’s snow leopards live outside of a protected park area; it would be safe to say that they reside in the same landscape as humans. Interestingly, rather than the conflict, the communities are experiencing coexistence. All thanks to the Buddhist ideologies and their utterly impactful conservation messaging, there has been a greater understanding and respect for these amazing wildlife species.

In many areas, the local pastoralists graze their livestock in high-altitude meadows, where it is likely that the snow leopard territory is present.
Many eco-tourists are now financially supporting households, turning snow leopard sightings into a matter of pride and practice.
The villagers operate as wildlife guides, trackers, and homestay hosts, particularly in places like Ulley and Rumbak, giving their assistance to many guests for their dream of sighting the snow leopards in Ladakh.

This is more than just about conservation; this is a community-driven practice turned fairy tale.

Reasons behind Ladakh being an Ideal abode for the Snow Leopards

The presence of wild prey in abundance, such as blue sheep (bharal), ibex, and Ladakh urial, gives these big cats all the wild food they need to survive and thrive.
The remoteness of the land and the significant attributes of Ladakh wildlife give them an excellent upper hand for stalking and capturing the prey without any human invasion or disturbance.
Additionally, there is limited to no competition from other predators, which ultimately gives leopards enough peace and space.
Moreover, combining science and local wisdom as well as the utter communal support and engagement has made snow leopard conservation in Ladakh a success story. A harsh and unforgiving environment turned into a wonderland for the snow leopard.

Thriving in a land where others barely survive!

New striking evidence from Ladakh makes it crystal clear that the snow leopard population in Ladakh is on the rise. The ghost cat of the Himalayas is not just surviving; it is thriving. More importantly, these big cats are not occurring in a vacuum but coexisting with herders, monks, children, and camera-bearing travelers who trek to these frozen heights with excitement and hope.

The snow leopards of Ladakh are more than an icon of wildness; a result of a collaborative process, they are evidence that, in the spirit of respect, science and communities, wildlife conservation does not need to be a battle of wills but a significant celebration of joint efforts. So, if you are arriving in Hemis, or Ulley, or anywhere else in the whole of Ladakh, it is important to understand that every encounter, every footprint, and every retelling are part of an even larger conservation journey of snow leopards.