Snow Leopard Tracking In Nepal

Overview

Fluffy camouflage, long curly tail, scratched wood marks or strong odor of urine specify the presence of Snow Leopard.

Come along in this journey that will take you to rugged Himalayan trails which is unspoiled and different from any major tourist destination. This adventure will take you to few high mountain passes and interesting place where you will be experiencing the presence of snow leopard, isolated community and their culture and lifestyle. Snow Leopard also known as apex carnivore living in rugged, broken trails of Himalayas leading to alpine and sub alpine (i.e.3000m-5400m) zones at Himalayas of Nepal.

Details for Snow Leopard Trekking

Living in pristine territory such mountain predators are usually found at 2987m- 5282m in Nepal. This cats are mostly difficult to find due to their fluffy camouflage makes it even harder to see them even they are nearby. Nepal is one of the 12 country where these cats reside with an estimated population of 350-500. Although it might be degrading due to unintentional killing of Snow Leopard by the locals with the intention of protecting their cattle. However it is really hard to balance the lively hood of these two mammals for the betterment for society as well as the natural habitat of these cats as well.

The high chance of extinction of these beautiful fluffy creature as their natural prey (Himalayan Tahr and Blue Sheep) is also hunted by the people living in the areas as well. However the illegal hunting for illegal trade of teeth, nails and many other valuable body part of Snow Leopard living in pristine Himalayas of Nepal still exist. Due to the habitat lying in alpine and sub alpine zone it is really hard for preservation bodies to track all these activity but infinite effort an optimum use of available resources they are trying to eliminate such activity. The rising temperature in the Himalayas of Nepal is also causing harm to habitat of Snow Leopard as well. The IUCN has classified them as endangered due to habitat loss, global warming, and poaching.

At the northern border of Nepal, you may encounter snow leopards in Nepal. The mountain sanctuaries of Nepal, namely Annapurna Sanctuary, Shey Phoksundo National Park, Kanchenjunga Sanctuary, Manacled Sanctuary, Makalu Varun National Park, Sagarmatha National Park, Api Nampa Sanctuary and Langtang National Park, are home to these Himalayan cats in Nepal. It is the ground to be explored if one want to encounter them.

Interesting Facts

• Snow leopards can't roar. Instead, they chuff, growl, hiss, mew, and wail.
• They have bright blue eyes
• Their tails are as long as their body.
• Snow leopards live in Central Asia
• They are under threat from human activity
• They really are long jump champions. Some of them can jump up to 6 times their body size.
• Their most hunted prey is blue sheep which is not blue.
• They are vulnerable
• The rocks and snow provide an excellent background and environment for them to camouflage.
• They prefer living on ridges, cliffs, and rock outcrops. These locations are convenient because they provide camouflage for stalking and sneaking up on prey.
• Snow leopards are smaller than other true big cats, weighing only about 27–54 kg.
• The female is about 30% smaller than the male.
• They are mostly active during dusk and dawn.
• They can hunt prey up to three times their body weight.
• They eat slowly and a kill may last for 2–3 days.
• After hunting down an animal, some drag their food into snow tunnels for storage and safekeeping.
• They have 1.13 inches long pointed teeth.
  
  

Some experience and strength required for Snow Leopard Tracking.

• One should be able to hike for 6-7 hours a day.
• One should be able to carry 8 kg themselves on a backpack for preparation.
• We suggest you run about 4/5 miles in the home for the preparation with some load on your back for 2 to 3 months to make your climbing much easier. Or use a treadmill for everyday running and walking.
• If you have an uphill location/mountain then once a week you should go hiking with a loaded bag pack on your back. If you do not have mountains and high hills then use stairs to go up/down than the elevator.
• Regular swimming, biking, rowing is also a good way to maintain your physical strength.
• Carrying some personal Knee support during trek will help a lot.