What is the importance of snow leopards in the environment?

There are as few as 4000 snow leopards in the wild, and their numbers are declining due to habitat loss, poaching and the impact of climate change. ... Indeed, snow leopard habitat provides important resources for local communities – from food and medicine to grazing for livestock, and wood for shelter, heat and fuel. read more

The snow leopard is a top predator in its habitat. As with most predators, the species plays an important ecological role in controlling prey populations (in this case, snow leopards mainly hunt large ungulates like wild goats and sheep) and weeding out the sick, weak, and injured. read more

WWF China plans to replicate its successes in protecting the snow leopards of Tibet in the Yangtze Source of Qinghai Province. The overall goal of this work is to eventually reach all snow leopard range areas of the Tibetan Plateau with the message of the need to protect these uniquely beautiful endangered animals. read more

The snow leopard range in the mountains of Central Asia (source: Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program) The snow leopard’s habitat extends through twelve countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. read more