KATHMANDU, Nepal–There are 51snow leopards in two national parks and three other conservation areas in Nepal, a recent study revealed. A study carried out by a team of researchers from the Center for Molecular Dynamics, Nepal with financial support from Hario Ban program of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation found that 23 big cats were found in Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, 17 in Annapurna Conservation Area, seven in Manaslu Conservation Area and a pair was found each in Langtang National Park and Sagarmatha National Park.
Methods like micro satellite, geno-typical technology along with DNA and lab testing of feces were used in tracing and counting snow leopards for the study that took 12 months to complete.
Lab testing of feces of the wild animals had helped the researchers to produce significant findings. DNA testing was key in finding out whether the feces belonged to snow leopard or not. The test also helped to show whether the animal is male or female.
Out of 279 feces samples collected from five different conservation areas, lab tests had proved that 198 samples were of snow leopards. The study has stated that 85 of the samples were collected from Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, 62 from Annapurna Conservation Area and 34 from Manaslu Conservation Area while nine of the samples were collected each from Langtang National Park, and Sagarmatha National Park.
To the surprise of the locals of Langtang area, a pair of snow leopard was found inside Langtang National Park. Before finding, locals believed that there was no snow leopard in Langtang area.
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029 has placed snow leopards under the list of other endangered wild animal found in Nepal.