In a landmark achievement for wildlife conservation, researchers have recorded the first-ever photographic evidence of a snow leopard in Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. The elusive big cat, often called the “Ghost of the Mountains,” was captured by a camera trap, confirming its presence in the protected area for the first time.
The discovery is considered a major milestone as the snow leopard has long featured on the sanctuary’s official emblem but had never before been scientifically documented within its boundaries. The finding was made during an extensive camera-trap survey carried out jointly by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.
Researchers believe the animal was using the sanctuary as a high-altitude wildlife corridor, highlighting the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity across the Western Himalayas. The confirmation also elevates Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary as one of the few protected landscapes in the region supporting four apex predators—the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Asiatic black bear and common leopard.
Conservationists say the remarkable discovery will strengthen scientific research and conservation planning for one of the world’s rarest big cats while underscoring the ecological significance of the Dhauladhar landscape. It also reinforces the need to protect fragile Himalayan habitats and wildlife corridors that are vital for the long-term survival of endangered mountain species.
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