Snow Leopard Day: Keeping the 'ghost of the mountains' alive

October 23 is International Day of the Snow Leopard, a day highlighting global efforts to protect the species and its ecosystems.

Dubbed the "prince of snow mountains" and "ghost of the mountains," these big cats blend seamlessly into their high-altitude, snowy habitat.

Across the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and Central Asia's rugged mountains, the elusive snow leopard watches over glaciers and alpine meadows.

With an estimated global population of around 3,000 mature individuals, China holds the largest habitat and population share. Qinghai Province alone provides about 470,000 square kilometers of suitable snow leopard habitat, roughly one quarter of that on the plateau.

Supported by national park initiatives in Sanjiangyuan and Qilian Mountains, the province has built a biodiversity monitoring network centered on the snow leopard. About 1,200 individuals now roam these highlands, frequently captured by camera traps and local herders.

Technology is emerging as a key ally in mountain conservation. In Qinghai and other regions, tools such as infrared cameras, satellite tracking, drones, remote sensing and patrol apps are forming an intelligent protection network.

Spatial mark-recapture models estimated 59 snow leopards in Huangnan Zang Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, based on 298 detections from 55 of 200 infrared cameras in the 2023-2024 survey.

At Xining Wildlife Park in Qinghai, drones and thermal imaging helped rescue Naonao, a 16-year-old female snow leopard, underscoring how innovation enhances monitoring and rescue. Since 2015, ten snow leopards have been rescued in Qinghai, with two of them successfully reintroduced into the wild through captive breeding.

Spanning a dozen countries, the snow leopard's survival depends on global partnership. Through the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), China, Mongolia, Nepal, Kazakhstan and other countries are building transboundary corridors and sharing data to keep mountain ecosystems connected.

With expanding regional cooperation and community engagement, the "ghost of the mountains" is finding new hope in the collective footsteps of science and stewardship.

For more:

International Snow Leopard Day: An indomitable snow leopard finds its second home

Happy Snow Leopard Day! Meet the most mysterious big cat in China

(Cover: A snow leopard, designed by CGTN's Du Chenxin.)