In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 23 October as International Day of the Snow Leopard in order to enhance international and regional cooperation in support of efforts to conserve the snow leopard, given its role in the overall ecosystem. About the snow leopard Big cats are elusive, but the snow leopard, especially so. Locals living alongside the leopards often refer to them as the ‘ghosts of the mountains’ as they are hardly ever seen. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is found in the high mountain regions of Asia. It is an iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous areas, including in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The snow leopard has been listed in appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1975, and in appendix I to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals since 1986. Also, the snow leopard’s population was classified as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species in 2017 and is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. The greatest threats to the survival of the snow leopard are habitat loss and fragmentation, prey depletion and illicit trafficking, illegal hunting, including poaching, and climate change. Facts about Snow leopard Snow leopards are often called the "ghosts of the mountains" due to their elusive nature and their ability to blend seamlessly into their high-altitude, snowy habitat. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species estimates the number of mature individuals at 2,710-3,380. The snow leopard is usually solitary and highly elusive. Dawn and dusk are the snow leopard’s most active times. Snow leopards are not known to be aggressive toward humans. Theme for 2025 Safeguarding and conservation Mountain ecosystems play a crucial role in providing water and other essential resources and services to a large portion of the world’s population. Sustaining and protecting mountain flagship species is key to the functioning of these ecosystems. Safeguarding and conservation of the snow leopard contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Biodiversity). Governments of the snow leopard range countries take measures towards safeguarding the species, including the establishment of breeding programmes and the development of a regional strategy and national action plans for the conservation of the snow leopard. There are several regional initiatives for range State cooperation, transboundary approaches and outcomes of multi-partner initiatives, conventions and mechanisms at the regional level, such as the initiative of India to create the International Big Cat Alliance. India observed International Snow Leopard Day with a unique initiative titled ‘#23for23’, encouraging people across the country to engage in physical activities for 23 minutes to raise awareness about the conservation of snow leopards and their fragile habitats. The country’s snow leopard conservation programme has shown encouraging results. The recently concluded first-ever Snow Leopard Census has recorded 718 individual snow leopards across the Indian Himalayas, with Ladakh alone hosting 477 of them. The International Snow Leopard Day marks a reaffirmation of India’s dedication to the goals of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP) and reflects the Nation’s continued emphasis on science-based monitoring, habitat protection, and community engagement for ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic species. Source : United Nations Related resources The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Vanishing Treasures initiative International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI)