Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are among the world's most elusive big cats. Their low numbers, secretive nature, and effective camouflage make them incredibly difficult to spot in their snowy, rocky mountain homes.
Found in the high-altitude regions of Central and South Asia, these majestic creatures are a flagship species for conserving the fragile mountain ecosystems. In India, they are found in the western Himalayas, including the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas.
Snow leopards are threatened by overhunting of prey species, habitat loss, retaliatory killings as a result of human-wildlife conflict, poaching and climate change. Assessing their population and understanding their conservation status and threats is crucial to developing future conservation strategies.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, designated WWF-India as the technical partner of the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, to assess the snow leopard population in the state. Using a multifaceted approach that combined scientific techniques, rigorous field work, and community engagement, this collaborative effort resulted in the first estimate of Sikkim's snow leopard population and density.
The survey was conducted in 2022 and covered potential snow leopard habitats across the state, ranging from 3500m to 6000m. Researchers employed modern technology, including camera traps and meticulous field work, to estimate the population.
Rohan Pandit, Associate Landscape Coordinator, WWF-India, Sikkim Office, said, "This was the first-of-its-kind survey in Sikkim, which demanded exceptional coordination amongst the various field teams. Ensuring standardised protocols were meticulously followed and that the survey was completed within the designated timeframe was crucial."
Assessing the snow leopard population in the higher reaches of the Himalayas was a challenge and a test of human endurance. The teams faced formidable difficulties, navigating the rugged terrain, enduring inclement weather, and operating in an oxygen-deficient environment that tested their physical and mental resilience. Despite these hardships, including prolonged camping stints, over 200 camera traps across 99 strategic locations were deployed, offering a unique privilege – the opportunity to access and document numerous remote and pristine areas, many of which remain largely untouched by human presence.
Over 6.2 lakh images were captured through camera traps. The images were analysed manually, with each photograph checked for the presence of snow leopards and other wildlife in the area. The next step involved going through each snow leopard photo meticulously, examining their rosette pattern and comparing one pattern against all others to check which individuals matched. It was the most challenging part of the image sorting process as the researchers had to determine matching rosette patterns among various irregularities in the photographs, including incomplete visibility of rosette patterns, blurry photos due to fog and rain, and fluffy and wet fur due to the weather.
Nisam Mang Luxom, Senior Project Officer, WWF-India, Sikkim Office, said, "While snow leopard rosette patterns are unique for each individual, sometimes very similar patterns with only minute differences have also been recorded. Therefore, two researchers had to independently analyse the snow leopard photographs to confirm the number of snow leopard individuals after checking that the rosette pattern matched each other".
The extensive fieldwork bore the required results. The findings of this exercise were released in January 2024 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) as part of the overall Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI), which reported 718 snow leopards in India. The study estimated 21 snow leopards in Sikkim with a density of 0.40 snow leopards per 100 sq km. Most snow leopards were found in northern Sikkim's Lachen and Lachung reserve forests.
STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT OF THE POPULATION AND DENSITY OF SNOW LEOPARDS IN SIKKIM, INDIA, RELEASED
While population numbers were announced in 2024, a detailed report- Statewide Assessment of the Population and Density of Snow Leopards in Sikkim, India, prepared jointly by the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim and WWF-India was released on 16 May 2025 at Gangtok by Sikkim Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang and Governor Shri Om Prakash Mathur along with Forest Minister Shri Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, Secretary Forest Dr Pradeep Kumar and Advisor Forest Department Tenzing Norbu Lamtha. They along with other senior officials from Forest Department and WWF-India were present in the event.
Message from Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) , Hon'ble Chief Minister of Sikkim reads, “ As we celebrate Sikkim's 50th Statehood Day, with the snow leopard as our official mascot, let us remember that the work of conservation is going well. The finding of 21 snow leopards is a testament to the dedication of our researchers, conservationists, and local communities. This comprehensive assessment provides valuable data for guiding our conservation strategies and policies. Together, we must ensure that future generations can witness the majestic presence of the snow leopard in the wild. May this achievement inspire us to foster a more harmonious and sustainable relationship with nature”.
Udai Gurung, IFS, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) cum Nodal Officer – SECURE Himalaya Project, Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim said, "Accurate population density data is crucial for understanding the health and distribution of snow leopards. With this information, resources can be prioritised, and targeted interventions can be made to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species".
Dr Rishi Kumar Sharma, Head of the Himalayas Programme at WWF-India, remarked, “The estimate of 21 snow leopards in Sikkim offers an encouraging indication of the gains made through continued conservation efforts. Notably, the majority of sightings outside protected areas highlight the critical role of shared landscapes in supporting snow leopard populations. This offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen collaborations with local communities and stakeholders, fostering conservation approaches that are both sustainable and beneficial to people and wildlife alike.”
The report—Statewide Assessment of the Population and Density of Snow Leopards in Sikkim, India—encapsulates the robust scientific process for estimating the snow leopards' population while highlighting the key conservation concerns and a way forward. It provides valuable insight into the distribution, habitat preferences, and population dynamics of snow leopards in Sikkim. These insights will help to form future conservation strategies and facilitate evidence-based decision-making to enhance the effectiveness of ongoing efforts.