First evidence of Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) presence confirmed by camera trapping in the Langtang valley, Nepal

Authors

  • Johanne Ferri-Pisani Maltot Objectif Sciences International NGO, OSI-Panthera program, Geneva, Switzerland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6436-7049
  • Clément Burzawa Objectif Sciences International NGO, OSI-Panthera program, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Bastien Chaix Objectif Sciences International NGO, OSI-Panthera program, Geneva, Switzerland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0572-5485
  • Bhupendra Yadav Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Langtang National Park, Nepal Nepal
  • Anne-Lise Cabanat Objectif Sciences International NGO, OSI-Panthera program, Geneva, Switzerland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7735-2392

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56510/slr.v4.62980

Keywords:

Langtang, Nepal, Panthera uncia, Snow leopard

Abstract

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is known to be distributed across twelve countries in Central Asia. Nevertheless, the elusive behaviour of the species, in conjunction with its remote habitat has resulted in a paucity of knowledge regarding its population distribution in several areas including Nepal. Despite prior local reports in the Langtang National Park (LNP), Nepal, scientific confirmation of snow leopards in the area was only recently established, relying on direct and indirect signs of presence. In 2023, the OSI-Panthera programme was granted authorisations to deploy camera traps in Nepal for the first time to investigate the presence of snow leopards. Six camera traps were set up over a period of one month in spring 2024, and two sets of pictures of snow leopards were obtained. This preliminary study provides the first substantiated evidence of snow leopards in the Langtang Valley through the utilisation of camera traps.

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References

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Published

2026-07-21

How to Cite

Ferri-Pisani Maltot, J., Burzawa, C., Chaix, B., Yadav, B., & Cabanat, A.-L. (2026). First evidence of Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) presence confirmed by camera trapping in the Langtang valley, Nepal. Snow Leopard Reports, 4. https://doi.org/10.56510/slr.v4.62980

Issue

Vol. 4 (2025)

Section

Field Notes

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Copyright (c) 2025 Johanne Ferri-Pisani Maltot, Clément Burzawa, Bastien Chaix, Bhupendra Yadav, Anne-Lise Cabanat

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