Hidden Camera Trap Spots Endangered Snow Leopard For The First Time In Sikkim

It is for the first time that the endangered snow leopards have been caught on camera in the north eastern state of Sikkim. There is evidence of these animals inhabiting in the high altitudes of North Sikkim, which includes parts of the Khangchendzonga National Park. Previously, there have been estimates based on information from Dokpas, the state¡¯s yak herders. But, this isn¡¯t coming from them. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has released a report confirming the presence of the big cat in the same region.

Under their project ¡®Conservation and Adaptation in Asia¡¯s High Mountains', WWF has set camera traps. This initiative aims at gathering information on the status of snow leopards, their wild prey base, and the threats that the snow leopards face in Sikkim. It is expected to be completed by 2017.

WWF-India

WWF-India has been working in Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim to understand the snow leopard¡¯s status in India. According to their report, ¡®Information on the distribution of this elusive cat is scanty ¡ª its current range is poorly mapped mainly due to the high and inhospitable terrain. The snow leopards in Sikkim are contiguous with its populations in Nepal, making it one of the key habitats for ensuring the animal¡¯s long term survival in the Eastern Himalayas.¡¯

The big cat has been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Additionally, WWF-India is working with local communities and the Indian Armed Forces to raise awareness on the fragile ecology of the Himalayas and involve them in wildlife monitoring programmes.

WWf-India

This isn¡¯t the first time the camera traps have captured unique species. Previously, other wildlife like the rare pallas cat, blue sheep and the Tibetan argali have also been spotted by the same camera traps.