Snow leopards that prey on livestock face lethal retaliation from herders, making community-based coexistence programs essential for protecting this vulnerable species.
Snow leopards killed in retaliation typically die from poison set for other purposes, direct shooting, or trap injuries - all causing significant suffering. The loss of territorial adults disrupts population dynamics as juveniles fill territories unsafely. For the leopards themselves, turning to livestock represents rational foraging when natural prey is depleted by overgrazing - they are responding to human-caused prey scarcity. Addressing root causes through prey recovery alongside community compensation creates more sustainable welfare outcomes.