Snow leopard (Uncia uncia syn. Panthera Unica) belongs to order Carnivora and family Felidae. It occurs Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Nepal. In Nepal Snow Leopards are distributed along the northern border with China (Tibet) and occur within seven mountain protected areas: Annapurna Conservation Area, Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, Langtang National Park, Makalu Barun National Park, Manaslu Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park and Shey Phoksundo National Park. Snow Leopards occur in cold, arid and semi-arid shrub land, alpine and subalpine areas, grasslands and open forests, favoring steep terrain characterized by cliffs, ridges, gullies and rocky outcrops at elevations of between 3,000 m to 5,500 m. According to Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan (2017-2021), the global population of this species is estimated to 3921-6290. According to the Annual Report of DNPWC (2019) its population is estimated as 301-400. It is listed as endangered species by IUCN red list category as it is experiencing declines due to Human-Snow Leopard conflict, Reduction of natural prey base, Habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, human settlements and livestock grazing, None or weak trans-boundary cooperation, Poaching and illegal trade. National red list of mammals categorizes it as an endangered species. The legal status of this species in Nepal is Protected (Appendix I) under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and Appendix I in CITES law.
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