Context:
International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated annually on October 23rd.
International Snow Leopard Day:
- Origin: Established on 23rd October 2013 following the Bishkek Declaration.
- Objective: To foster international collaboration for snow leopard conservation.
- 12 Snow Leopard range countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Snow Leopard
- Medium-sized cat, elusive, thrives in high-altitude environments.
- State animal of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh
- Acts as an indicator species for mountain ecosystem.
- Flagship species for high altitude Himalayas
- Snow Leopard capital of the world – Hemis National Park in Ladakh
- Habitat:
- Central and South Asia, 9,800-17,000 feet elevation.
- Himalayan ranges & different parts of Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim
- Population: Estimated 3,500-7,000 individuals.
- Known as “Ghosts of the mountains,” thick greyish-white fur for camouflage.
- Behaviour:
- Non-roaring, communicates through growls, hisses, meows, and “chuff” sounds. Active at dawn and dusk, solitary.
- Mating in January-March, territorial marking with scrapes, feces, urine, and scent sprays.
- Ecological Importance: Top predators, indicator species, supports ecosystem health by providing food for scavengers like vultures and wolves.
- Protection Status –
- Appendix I of CITES
- IUCN status – Vulnerable
- WPA 1972 – Schedule I
Read about Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India
Source: DTE
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2024 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is not correct: Leopards are territorial and mark their territory with faeces, urine and cheek-rubbing on trees. They can also leave scrape markings on the ground, trees or logs. This communicates to other leopards passing through that the territory they are in is occupied.
