Snow Leopard

The snow leopard’s habitat range extends across the mountainous regions of 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.  The snow leopard prefers steep, rugged terrain with rocky outcrops where prey can be sparse, a reason these cats require an enormous amount of space to roam.  Male leopards require up to 80 square miles, whereas females have ranges of up to 48 square miles.

The three most important prey species for snow leopards are the blue sheep (also known as bharal), the Asiatic ibex (a large wild goat), and the argali sheep. The cats also feed on smaller mammals, such as marmots, pikas, and hares.  Availability of wild prey is the most important factor that determines if an area is suitable for the cats.

Poaching, habitat loss, climate change, decline in natural prey species, and retaliatory killings by locals when the cats prey on livestock are the main threats to the snow leopard’s survival.

Snow leopards are not only killed for their beautiful fur, but also for their bones and other body parts that are used in traditional medicine. Increased human intrusion into mountain ecosystems from the construction of highways, ski resorts, and other infrastructure projects pose a huge threat to snow leopards, causing habitat fragmentation and disturbances.

The climate crisis, perhaps the greatest long-term threat, is another contributing factor to dwindling populations. Rising temperatures in the mountains affect the entire ecosystem, threatening to further shrink the species’ alpine habitat and make it unusable.

Finally, the high mortality rate among young leopards remains a critical concern. Without the expansion of protected areas, juvenile leopards are forced to migrate to neighboring countries, increasing the likelihood of human-wildlife conflicts. To mitigate this issue,  Kazakhstan offers financial compensation to herders whose livestock is attacked, thereby reducing the retaliatory killing of these endangered predators.

Thanks to advances in technology, scientists and researchers have narrowed knowledge gaps about the snow leopard. Camera traps in particular have allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of snow leopard distribution and ecology across its range.  Anti-poaching programs, community education, establishment of protected areas, and development of community-led snow leopard conservation strategies are among measures that have been introduced to protect the big cats.

Enhancing regional conservation initiatives through transboundary cooperation is another crucial component for protecting these majestic predators. In October 2024, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at conserving snow leopards and their habitats in the northern Tien Shan Mountains within four specially protected nature areas of both countries.

A number of international organizations dedicated to snow leopard conservation have been established, among them the Snow Leopard Network and Snow Leopard Conservancy.

The snow leopard is one of Kazakhstan’s rarest animals and an enduring national symbol. Its populations are scattered across the country’s high mountain ranges, from the Altai and Tarbagatai in the east to the Tien Shan, Saur, and Dzungarian Alatau in the south and southeast. Key protected zones and national parks protect some of these habitats, while connective corridors and other areas are unprotected.

Throughout much of the 20th century, snow leopard numbers declined sharply due to habitat fragmentation, poaching, and the loss of prey species such as the Siberian ibex. By 1995, only 80–100 individuals remained in Kazakhstan. In response, the government adopted the National Action Plan (2015–2024) and the Strategy for the Conservation of the Snow Leopard (2011), aimed at restoring and protecting the population.

Thanks to these and other efforts, the species is showing signs of recovery. As of September 2025, data from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources estimates approximately 189 snow leopards in Kazakhstan—roughly double the population recorded 30 years ago. The species has been listed in the Republic of Kazakhstan’s Red Book since its first edition, published in 1978.

A critical component of the recovery effort has been the creation of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs), which cover 3.6 million hectares of key snow leopard habitat. Nearly 70 percent of snow leopard range is now under formal protection, spanning reserves such as Ile-Alatau, Kolsai Lakes, Altyn-Emel, Sairam-Ugam, Zhongar Alatau, Charyn, Tarbagatai, Katon-Karagai, Karatau, and Western Altai.  Altyn Emel National Park, with its abundant prey, strong protection, and minimal human interference, supports a thriving population of snow leopards. Other important refuges include Ile-Alatau National Park and the Katon-Karagai Reserve, with new protected zones planned, including the proposed Merken Regional Park in Zhambyl Region.

As of October 2025 Kazakhstan’s snow leopard monitoring network included more than 290 camera traps and 28 thermal imagers installed across 14 protected areas, along with satellite collars placed on 11 animals to track movement and behavior. These tools provide real-time data for population assessment and habitat management.

Partnerships and International Support

Non-governmental organizations, scientific institutions, and government agencies share responsibilities for studying and protecting Kazakhstan’s snow leopard population. Specifically, these include the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (NGO) and divisions of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Ongoing, coordinated work has achieved some success, notably in reducing poaching and illegal trade of snow leopards, which flourished in Kazakhstan in the 1900s and early 2000s.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also supported Kazakhstan’s snow leopard conservation since 2018, supplying camera traps, drones, smartphones, and other equipment to improve data collection and monitor both the species and its prey base.