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| Image by AI |
Ladakh, India's largest Union Territory, is known for its rugged mountains, stark valleys, and unique Buddhist culture. Although a high-altitude, cold desert, Ladakh's barren appearance houses a remarkable diversity of wildlife, particularly wild cat species. Despite the extreme climate and high elevations, Ladakh is home to some of the most threatened and elusive felines in the world - the snow leopard, the Pallas's cat, and the Eurasian lynx. The common leopard has also been spotted in the region, and research is going on to understand if it is a vagrant or a resident.
The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
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A snow leopard in the mountains of Ladakh. Image credit: Snow Leopard Trust Ismail Sharif via Wikimedia Commons
According to a study, around two-thirds or 68% of the snow leopard population in India is found in Ladakh. The region is home to an estimated 477 snow leopards. The snow leopard density in Ladakh is higher in the protected areas of the Hemis National Park and Nubra Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary (around 3 per 100 km2). The overall density of this big cat in Ladakh is around 1 per 100 km².
Often called the "ghost of the mountains," due to its excellent camouflage and secretive ways, the snow leopard, called Shan in the local language, inhabits steep rocky cliffs, alpine meadows, and glacial valleys at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 5,500 meters in Ladakh. It primarily preys on blue sheep (bharal) and ibex, as well as smaller mammals and birds.
There is a significant degree of acceptance of the snow leopard's presence in Ladakh due to the prevalent Buddhist culture that preaches compassion for all beings. Also, government and private organisations are working in the area to reduce human-snow leopard conflict by arranging ways and means to ensure that locals receive compensation for livestock loss due to snow leopard predation.
The Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx isabellinus)
An Eurasian lynx in the snow. Image credit: Aconcagua via Wikimedia Commons.
Although it is the second largest wild cat found in Ladakh, most people are hardly aware of its presence due to its low numbers and extremely elusive behaviour. The Eurasian lynx subspecies found in Ladakh is called the Himalayan lynx or Asian lynx. Unlike most other subspecies that are found in forested areas, this one prefers rocky terrains with sparse vegetation, where its spotted coat provides excellent camouflage.
The Asian lynx is recognized by its tufted ears and short tail. These cats hunt Tibetan woolly hares, small-sized ungulates, Royle's pikas, marmots, and livestock like sheep and goats.
Called Eeh in the local language, this animal is found in various parts of the region, such as the Hemis National Park, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nubra Valley. This secretive species is difficult to spot and study as its scat is also hard to find. It buries its scat like domestic cats.
The Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul)
A beautiful Pallas's Cat. Image credit: Tambako the Jaguar via Flickr.com.
This species might look extremely adorable, but it is also very sturdy and strong. Known locally as “Shan” or “Manul,” the Pallas’s cat is found in high-elevation areas in the region. Unlike other small wild cats, which usually have vertical pupils, this species has rounded pupils. It inhabits rocky crevices or burrows left vacant by marmots. It is crepuscular in nature and hunts marmots, other small animals, and birds. A single cat, though small, can have a territory of around 100 km². The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and the Hanle, Lal Pahari, and Staklung areas are known for Pallas's cat sightings. In Ladakh, these cats have been found living at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,800 m.
The Leopard (Panthera pardus): Vagrant or Resident?
A leopard in the mountains. Image by AI.
In the winter of 2018, scientists conducted a camera trap survey that revealed the presence of a common leopard. An adult male leopard was captured twice on camera traps within 31 days. This was the first documentation of the presence of a common leopard in Ladakh. However, rare anecdotal notes from locals of the area report sightings of a yellowish big cat, different from the snow leopard, which is more widely known.
The study was published in the Journal of BNHS (link provided below). Scientists believe it could be a vagrant individual who had strayed into the high-elevation region but was not a resident. However, as evident in the camera trap images, it appeared healthy even after a month. It is believed to have fed well despite the extreme environment of Ladakh in winter.
Although this is the only recorded scientific documentation of a common leopard in Ladakh till date, it might or might not be included on the list of wild cats found in Ladakh.
Conservation Challenges
The survival of these wild cat species is threatened by habitat degradation, poaching, climate change, and conflict with humans over livestock depredation. Rapid infrastructure development in Ladakh, such as roads and tourism facilities, also fragments wildlife habitats. Climate change poses an additional risk by altering prey distribution and vegetation patterns.
Ladakh’s wild cats—from the majestic snow leopard to the little-known Pallas’s cat—are jewels of the trans-Himalayan ecosystem. Their presence highlights the ecological richness of this cold desert and the importance of conserving fragile mountain habitats. By balancing conservation with sustainable livelihoods, Ladakh can continue to serve as a safe haven for these rare and fascinating felines. Protecting them is not only crucial for biodiversity but also for maintaining the cultural and natural heritage of the Himalayas.
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