Nepal’s snow leopard count reaches nearly 400, making up 10 percent of global total

Kathmandu: Nepal is home to 10 percent of the world’s total snow leopards, with the latest statistics putting the population at 397.

The data, released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), highlights Nepal’s significant role in conserving this rare species.

The snow leopard’s habitat in Nepal spans over 30 thousand 500 square kilometers in the high Himalayan region. Globally, there are an estimated 3 thousand 2 hundred to 5 thousand 4 hundred snow leopards across 12 countries, including Nepal, China, India, Mongolia, and Bhutan.

Dr. Ghanashyam Gurung, World Wildlife Fund WWF Nepal’s National Representative, called the statistics a historic milestone, saying they will guide future conservation strategies.

In line with the efforts, Nepal’s Ministry of Forests has launched the Snow Leopard Conservation and Action Plan 2024–2030, outlining strategic goals to protect the endangered species.