SNOW LEOPARD IN PAKISTAN

Snow leopard Unica is broadly distributed through central Asia. By the scientist the snow leopard are called “Crepuscular activity pattern” because of its special quality that they are most active at Dawn and Dusk. The core mainly live in Himalayan mountains in which Tien Shan, kun lun, Pamir , Hindu Kush, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It is also found in Russia, Nepal and Bhutan. In 1973 it is included in red lust of endangered species. It is found in north region of Pakistan, in all five districts. Total habitat in Pakistan is 80,000km² in which 40,000km² is prime habitat.in 1976 the population of snow leopard in Pakistan is 1000-250 by Schaller.

In 1997 it is found that leopards are present in 800km² around husky village. Area B in which the town of skardu, san village bagicha are confined to north by shigar valley. These areas are prime habitat of snow leopards. Small from askoli through the biafohispar glaciers covering shimshal valley and up to khunjerab national park border with china. This area is core area for snow leopards in central Karakorum Range.

In area C snow leopards are found in chunsa valley, soq valley a khepchun la. However no sighting is made outside from these areas, so no actual presence of snow leopards. The wolfs in these areas is the competition for snow leopards, as they also hunt the same as leopards and can also snatch the meal of snow leopards . Another specie marmot MARMATA caudate is common in this area but this is only occur in summer months. Lynx is also found in this area.

In area D, snow leopards are found in ASKOLI village. In this region heavy human disturbance, causes the small number of snow leopards.

Laws that sanction the killing of problem animals that threaten the life or property of humans are widely used in some countries and some use in some farmer’s abuse such kind of laws by justifying the random killing of wild predators.

Four leopards were killed by farmers in 1997-1999 in northern areas of Pakistan and seven in 1971-1973. Body parts for poaching and pelts is a big threat to snow leopards in Baltistan.

In shigar valley the snow leopards are trapped by farmer and killed or stanned to death. They don’t shot as it destroys the pelt. The price of well cure pelt is 400US dollars. This thing can’t be done by single individual. This in individually done by villagers as return it reduces threat to their livestock, and a successful sale in equalling to 1 years cash income.

Government of Pakistan and UNDP funded and IUCN have organized trophy hunting for foreign sportsman. 8 hunts have taken place in six villages. The hunting fees goes to participating communities.

Trophy hunting is not good for snow leopards. They have two motives saving livestock and protection. The NGOs and government awar the farmers about the laws of killing this animal .Moreover NGOs and government should also balance their rights by justifying them by protect their livestock.

 In Baltistan the main threat is retaliatory killing of leopards, which damage the livestock.