Prowling The Mountains – Indian Snow Leopards
The snow leopard is a shy animal that lives above 10,000ft in the mountainous regions of Central Asia, China, India and nearby countries. According to surveys only about 7,000 of them are left in the world and in India, there’s less than 600 of them. They live in the Himalayan ranges in the northernmost parts of India.
Due to habitat destruction and military interventions, their numbers have been dwindling. The Snow Leopard Conservation Trust and the national parks at Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
This endangered animal reaches up to seven ft in length, including its three-foot-long tail. It eats medium-sized birds, hares and small mountain animals.
The government and private conservation programs have helped to maintain their current number. Homestays located near the national parks in Ladakh and Himachal educate tourists about their conservation.
