Protections boost snow leopard population in Nagchu

A comprehensive survey across Nagchu in the Xizang autonomous region has identified 126 individual snow leopards, highlighting the area's significance as a key habitat for the species on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Over three years, 217 infrared cameras in Nagchu captured 2,538 images of snow leopards, identifying 126 individuals, including 12 cubs.

The survey also recorded 37 other nationally protected species, including the golden cat, the red goral and the dhole, underscoring the region's rich biodiversity.

"This data represents a full-circle survey from 2021 to 2024. While we have provided a preliminary analysis, monitoring continues to establish a long-term system for tracking changes in the snow leopard population," said Zhao Xiang, director of the Shan Shui Conservation Center, a domestic NGO focused on species and ecosystem conservation.

Known as the "king of the snow mountains", the snow leopard is under first-class national protection in China and is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The survey, conducted by Nagchu's forestry and grassland bureau in collaboration with the Shan Shui Conservation Center, covered 11 districts and counties, ensuring thorough sampling and representation of the entire region.

"Nagchu is vast, so we selected sample sites in every district and county to provide a comprehensive overview of snow leopard distribution," Zhao said.

He noted that key areas such as Shanza, Nyima and Drachen counties host particularly healthy snow leopard populations.

The habitats surveyed, ranging from 4,000 to 5,200 meters in elevation, provide an ideal environment for snow leopards.

"Nagchu's strategic location, connecting the Himalayas and the Sanjiangyuan region to the north — another major habitat for the species — makes it a vital corridor for snow leopards," Zhao said. "Preserving the health and continuity of this population is essential for maintaining genetic connections across these landscapes."

The survey also identified Nagchu as a habitat for at least six first-class protected species in China, including the Tibetan wild donkey and musk deer, as well as 13 second-class protected animals, such as the Chinese serow and the Tibetan gazelle. Tibetan wild donkeys and Tibetan gazelles are typical species of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The project, driven by local government, communities and scientific institutions, reflects a growing awareness and commitment to snow leopard conservation in China.

"Compared to efforts globally, China's approach to snow leopard research and protection is increasingly proactive and impactful," Zhao said.

In addition, the center and other institutes, including Peking University, have conducted an assessment survey in the Sanjiangyuan area, estimating a snow leopard population of 1,002 across approximately 360,000 square kilometers of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The study, based on existing infrared camera survey data from 12 monitoring sites from 2015 to 2021, is the first major snow leopard population assessment completed in China and represents the largest-scale snow leopard population survey published globally, Xinhua said.

The findings were published in the international journal Biodiversity and Conservation on Jan 11.

China is home to about 60 percent of the world's snow leopard habitats. The Sanjiangyuan area is one of the most densely populated regions for snow leopards in the country and the world.