Snow leopard
FACTSHEET ON SNOW LEOPARDS
Mongolia hosts about 13–22% of the estimated global snow leopard population in less than 10% of the total range of the species.
Common Name: Snow Leopard
Scientific Name: Uncia uncia
Distribution: Snow leopards are widely distributed in the mountains of Western Mongolia and occur in Altai Mountains, Khangai Mountains, Khan-Khokhii Mountains and Kharkhiraa, Turgen, Tsagaan Shuvuut Mountains, and in isolated mountainous sections of the Trans-Altai Gobi.
Conservation Status:
• “Very Rare” of Law on Fauna (2000);
• “Endangered” per IUCN Red List (2006), and
• CITES Appendix I (1994)
Population:
Population estimates of Snow leopard in Mongolia vary from about 700 to 1200 heads, with a density of 1 to 1.5 leopards per 100 sq.km. Snow leopards density in Yamaat Valley of Turgen Mountain SPA 3.7-4.0 cats per 100 sq.km.
Main threats:
The snow leopard is legally protected in Mongolia, but the population is believed to be in decline because of:
- poaching for fur and bones to be sold on the black market;
- loss of prey species as a result of (illegal) over-hunting of ibex, argali and marmots, and habitat competition with livestock;
- loss of habitat as a consequence of degradation (over-grazing) and fragmentation of habitat;
- retaliation killing for livestock raids; and
- lack of awareness and support of local people for the conservation of the snow leopard, its prey and habitat (Evans et al. 2003).
