Snow leopards are often referred to as the ghosts of the mountains because they are hardly ever seen.
Every year on October 23, the world's wildlife enthusiasts come together to vouch for the efforts to preserve this wild species.
It’s an iconic and ecologically critical species found across the mountain areas, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, and the Russian Federation.
The major contributing factors that pose a threat to their existence are habitat loss and fragmentation, prey depletion and illicit trafficking, climate change and illegal hunting.
Just last year, the UN General Assembly declared October 23 as International Day of the Snow Leopard with the purpose of enhancing international and regional collaboration to safeguard the endangered species, given the role snow leopards play in maintaining the overall ecosystem of our planet.
This year, the day is being commemorated under the title “Safeguarding Snow Leopard Habitats for Future Generations.”
It not only promotes conservation efforts but also indirectly contributes to implementing the UN SDG 2030 Agenda, including SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Biodiversity).
Protecting the habitat is critical: it directly supports not only snow leopards but also the planetary ecosystem that serves as the main source of water and other resources for billions of people on Earth.
So, on this Snow Leopard Day 2025 we must collectively strive in conservation efforts to protect this wild species which is on the brink of its extinction.
Every pawprint preserved in the high peaks safeguards rivers that feed billions, stabilises slopes that prevent disaster, and upholds the fragile balance of life on Earth.
Let today be the turning point: not just awareness, but action. Save the ghosts of the mountains-secure the future of the planet.
