Researchers have captured images of approximately five wild snow leopards on the summit of a mountain in Northwest China. This marks the first time Chinese scientists have photographed this rare species.
Ma Ming, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, noted that this is an encouraging achievement, as it is very rare to find this elusive predator.
Snow leopards typically inhabit high snowy peaks ranging from 2,700 to 6,000 meters or expansive plateaus in China, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal.
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According to estimates from the International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT), half of the estimated 3,500 snow leopards worldwide currently reside in China, specifically in the high peaks of Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces.
Thirty-two photographs of snow leopards were taken between October 18, 2005, and December 27, 2005, at the summit of Tomur Peak, which stands at 7,435 meters in northwest China. These images were captured using 36 infrared-triggered automatic cameras, strategically placed near a valley below the mountain peak.
Based on these discoveries, the actual number of snow leopards may exceed the estimated 750 by Dr. George Schaller, a specialist from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), conducted in the 1980s.
This is part of the Xinjiang snow leopard research project.
Ma Ming, who is also a member of the aforementioned project, stated that capturing images of these leopards will significantly contribute to studying their behavior, distribution, population, and habitat.
It is known that snow leopards are a rare species, facing serious threats from human activities.
Their fur and skin can be sold for over 10,000 yen (approximately 1,200 USD) on the black market. Experts are concerned that products made from them may be sold in international markets.
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