Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
In a landmark discovery for wildlife conservation in the Western Himalayas, researchers have recorded the first-ever photographic evidence of a snow leopard inside the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh.
Often called the “Ghost of the Mountains” because of its elusive nature and remarkable camouflage, the snow leopard has long been associated with the sanctuary.
In fact, the species features on the sanctuary’s official logo despite never having been photographed within its boundaries, until now.
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The historic sighting confirms the presence of one of the world’s most elusive big cats in the protected landscape and highlights the ecological importance of the Dhauladhar range.
The discovery also marks another milestone for the sanctuary, which now officially hosts four apex predators, the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Asiatic black bear, and common leopard.
The coexistence of these top predators is considered a strong indicator of a healthy mountain ecosystem with sufficient prey and intact habitats.
Researchers believe the photographed snow leopard was using the sanctuary as a high-altitude wildlife corridor, moving between larger protected habitats across the Western Himalayas. Such corridors are critical for maintaining genetic diversity, enabling seasonal movement, and ensuring long-term survival of threatened species in the face of climate change and habitat fragmentation.
Snow leopards are classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are found across the rugged mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and China. In India, their range extends across Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Conservationists say the first photographic confirmation in Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is more than just a rare wildlife sighting.
It strengthens the case for protecting mountain corridors that connect fragmented habitats, ensuring that the elusive “Ghost of the Mountains” continues to roam the Himalayas for generations to come.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
