The snow leopard Panthera uncia, an emblematic species symbolizing the alpine mountain ecosystem’s vitality across Asia, faces global threats like habitat loss, prey depletion, poaching, and conflicts, classifying it as Vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Despite Bhutan’s commendable increase in snow leopard numbers from 96 in 2015 to 134 in 2023, persistent challenges demand attention. These include habitat degradation propelled by uncontrolled shrub growth, cordyceps collection, potential infrastructure development, and amplified by climate change affecting critical alpine meadows. Additional concerns involve poaching risks due to porous borders, retaliatory killings, occasional livestock depredation, and other complexities such as disease transmission, localized grazing pressure, and limited awareness, funds, and information.
Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan for Bhutan 2024-2033
