Mongolia’s Snow Leopard: The Ghost of the Mountains

High in Mongolia’s rugged mountains, the elusive snow leopard prowls in silence. Cloaked in beauty and mystery, it’s a symbol of wild grace and fragile survival.

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is one of the world’s most elusive big cats, and Mongolia

is home to the second-largest population globally—estimated between 500 to 1,000 individuals. These solitary predators roam the rugged peaks of the Altai, Hangai, and Sayan Mountains, blending into the rocky terrain with their thick, spotted coats.

 

Habitat and Adaptation

• Snow leopards thrive at altitudes between 2,500 to 5,000 meters, where few other predators can survive.

• Their wide paws act like snowshoes, and their long tails help with balance and warmth.

• They are perfectly adapted to Mongolia’s harsh winters and steep landscapes.

Diet and Behavior

• Their primary prey includes Argali sheep, Siberian ibex, and marmots.

• Snow leopards are solitary and secretive, often called “ghosts of the mountains.”

• Cubs stay with their mothers for up to two years, learning to hunt and survive.

Threats and Conservation

• Major threats include poaching, habitat loss, climate change, and conflict with herders.

• Mongolia loses an estimated 34–50 snow leopards annually to poaching.

• Conservation efforts include:

•  GPS tracking and camera traps 

• Livestock insurance programs

• Community-based conservation led by groups like the Snow Leopard Trust and the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation

Global Significance

• Mongolia’s snow leopard habitat spans over 101,000 km², making it a critical stronghold for the species.

• The Altai-Sayan Ecoregion is considered one of the last safe havens for snow leopards as climate change threatens other habitats.