Snow leopards are elusive big cats of Central Asian mountains facing threats from poaching, prey depletion, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change shrinking their habitat.
Snow leopards range over enormous territories of up to 1,000 km2, making them highly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and snaring. Retaliatory killing by herders after livestock depredation remains a primary threat. Camera-trap studies show individual snow leopards in poor body condition due to prey depletion from overgrazing and hunting. Climate change is pushing tree lines and competing species higher into snow leopard territory. The Snow Leopard Trust runs livestock insurance programs in several countries, reducing retaliatory killing. Snow leopards in captivity require large enclosures with cold temperatures and vertical structures.