Snow leopard
The enigmatic snow leopard lives high up in the Central Asian mountain range, between 2000 and 5500 meters high. In total, it's found in twelve different countries in Asia, in some of the world's most inaccessible mountain areas. The snow leopard is also called the Ghost of the Mountains due to its elusive, solitary nature and ability to blend into its habitat. The fur is thick, the paws large and the tail long, perfect adaptations to a life in the mountains.
Photo: Snow Leopard Trust
Although the snow leopard is protected by law in all countries of range, its numbers are declining as a result of human activity. Poaching is a major threat to the snow leopard. They are hunted partly for their fur and body parts, which are used in traditional Asian medicine, but are also killed in conflicts with herders when the snow leopard sometimes attacks and kills domestic animals. The species' habitat is decreasing as humans expand their areas and climate change is expected to result in large habitat losses for the snow leopard. Today it is estimated that there are between 3500-7000 snow leopards in the wild and they are listed as Vulnerable on the international red list.
Research on this fascinating feline has been ongoing since the 1980s, but despite decades of research, knowledge of the species' ecology was very limited. This led to the organization Snow Leopard Trust starting the world's first long-term study for the species in the Tost Mountains in southern Mongolia in 2008. Thanks to the development of technology and the launch of trap cameras and GPS collars small enough for a snow leopard to wear, the answers to how a snow leopard lives and it's behaviour could now finally be found.
Anesthetizing and ID marking of a wild snow leopard. Photo: Snow Leopard Trust
What we do at Nordens Ark
Nordens Ark has a great commitment to the conservation of the snow leopard and the species had a home in the wildlife park since 1989. Nordens Ark is also responsible for the international stud book and the European breeding program for the species. The purpose of the breeding programs is to maintain a viable and genetically healthy rescue population of snow leopards in zoos around the world. Since 2010, Nordens Ark has collaborated with the Snow Leopard Trust by supporting their research project of wild snow leopards in Mongolia. The purpose of the study is to increase knowledge about the species in the wild and in some way contribute to its conservation. The study consists of three different activities; research, development of conservation work and education. Nordens Ark is part of this work partly through our support of the Snow Leopard Trust in their work and part-financing of researchers working on the study. The snow leopards have been fitted with GPS collars and their lifestyles have been tracked since 2008. The study showed that the snow leopard kills significantly more prey than previously thought, that both females and males claim territories and that they move over 44 times larger areas than previously thought . Which means that the nature reserves in the snow leopard's range are too small.
A large part of the work in Mongolia is spent talking to local shepherds. It is important to be able to understand both the snow leopard and the problem of them taking livestock. It is important to find solutions so that both parts can coexist. Examples of the measures we work with are insurance programs, protective fences at the night spots and programs for alternative incomes.
Spårstämpel av snöleopard. Photo: Snow Leopard Trust
News from the project – January 2026
Nordens Ark and Snow Leopard Trust researcher Gustaf Samelius spent another field season in southern Mongolia during 2025 as part of the long-term study of snow leopards and their ecology. During this year’s fieldwork, an additional male snow leopard was fitted with a tracking collar, and the ongoing cluster study continued. In this study, radio-collared snow leopards are followed more closely by visiting locations where the animals have remained for a period of time, after they have moved on, in order to avoid disturbing their natural behaviour.
These sites are examined to gain further insight into where snow leopards make kills, where they establish resting sites, how long they remain there, and how these patterns are influenced by weather conditions. It appears that wind, rather than low temperatures alone, has the greatest impact on snow leopards. During winter, they often use small caves or sheltered areas just below the highest peaks, where they are protected from the wind. At other times of the year, they are more frequently found on exposed mountain tops, where visibility is greater but wind conditions are harsher.
As part of this year’s cluster study, Gustaf also followed two females with cubs approximately three months old. It was clear that the females moved less during this period, likely to keep the cubs warm and protect them from potential threats. Snow leopards do not remain at the same den site for long and begin moving their cubs when they are around two to three months old. The cubs are then relocated between different sites, typically staying at each location for four to five days before moving on again.
It was also noted that many of the sites chosen by females for their cubs were located close to small water sources. Access to water is important for most animals, but is likely particularly critical in arid environments such as the Gobi Desert.
Photo: Snow Leopard Trust