Afghanistan
How many snow leopards in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan’s snow leopard numbers are at best just estimates. After many years of war when no information was collected, it is almost a guess as to the numbers. The most recent research suggests 100 to 200 but it may be a lot less due to many stories of poaching and illegal trade.
Rare footage of snow leopard in war zone
This video was sent to me by a young Sergeant in the US Army. It was filmed on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan and seems to be a rare wild snow leopard. That area of Nuristan has been known to be snow leopard habitat although with many years of war and poaching it’s not known how many are left. The video caused quite a bit of controversy among snow leopard conservationists, with some believing it was a snow leopard while others think it’s a marten or weasel. See Posts here.
Update on snow leopard conservation projects
In June 2009 Afghanistan’s National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), in an effort to safeguard its natural heritage, released the country’s first-ever list of protected species now banned from hunting or harvest. This list includes the rare snow leopard and is hoped will provide protection to the cats, which along with other wildlife has been devastated by more than 30 years of conflict. NEPA is working with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, and Kabul University.
Even during times of war in Afghanistan snow leopard numbers are decreasing due to excessive hunting, loss of key habitat and illegal trade. There have been snow leopard pelts for sale in tourist shops in Kabul, the capital, sometimes purchased by foreigners ignorant of the law. Local people can earn as much as $US1,500 per pelt. It is hoped now that the snow leopard is protected under Afghan law, it will be illegal for Afghan nationals or internationals to hunt or trade the species within Afghanistan. If the law is able to be enforced this will go a long way to helping the remaining few hundred snow leopards in this country survive.
Band-e-Amer, Afghanistan’s first national park, 2009. Photo Wikipedia.
In May 2009 Afghanistan announced the creation of its first national park: Band-e-Amir, a spectacular series of six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams made of travertine, a mineral deposit.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (US) is currently the only organisation doing scientific conservation studies in Afghanistan and will continue to work with the Afghan government to establish parks and protected areas.
Read more stories about snow leopards in Afghanistan.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
It is nice to see Afghanistan putting land aside for conservation. It will be a great resource for the people of Afghanistan in the future.
its very nice to hear about snow leopards at Afghanistan exist after so many years of war and disasters. Best of luck for all wildlife conservationist and managers.
thank you for your comment, yes we hope the snow leopards of Afghanistan can be saved by many dedicated local and international efforts.
I don’t know why I have seen this post after a while but I am really happy to hear that Snow Leopards have been seen in Afghanistan. Can you please tell me in which province of Afghanistan these leopards are seen?
They were seen in Wakhan corridor which is north east Afghanistan near Pakistan and Tajikistan border. Now we have two snow leopards with satellite collars to follow their movements and learn about them for the next few months. We hope they will remain healthy and live good lives in this part of Afghanistan.
Dear WCS,
Anesthetizing animals in a vain attempt to prove to your grant makers that your research is worthy of frequent trips and accommodations in faraway “exotic” places is a rather low and petty occupation. Wow. Awesome you put an endangered species at risk just so your overly educated ego can check to see if a leopard still has his baby teeth. Your hard earned master’s degree is definitely making a real difference isn’t it?
Make sure to document the important teeth checking event right after to make sure you didnt put the animal in cardiac arrest or damage his heart and brain with the drugs. Oh wait, never mind you can’t really make sure you didn’t damage the animal in the long-term. Guess we will just have to assume that you and whatever idiot producer at Nat Geo that sponsored you, knows that the animal remains ok with that bulky man made electronic collar hanging off his throat. Ever see a domestic cat get caught up and hung from wearing a little collar? Snow leopards can move much better climbing mountain cliffs and snow banks without that thing on them. But then again without the collar you can’t track down their movements and examine their teeth status again. Meanwhile how many more poachers have trapped or directly killed snow leopards?
Ever think about targeting the real problem these animals face? Ever think about using those precious grant funds and military escorts to stop the poachers???? Do you cowards really want to help these animals or just take pictures and videos with them half asleep?
And also…… dear U.S military/ Nato,
You cowards have done nothing but kill snow leopards and destroy their ecosystem with toxic chemicals left from air assaults. Good job. The US military bombs and destroys then throws out band aids, not to mention the soldiers buying pelts at the bases.
Dear Tim
thanks for your detailed comment on the WCS snow leopard work in Afghanistan. I understand your concern for the collared animals and their habitat and I know snow leopard conservationists welcome and share that concern. However I did want to share with you two thoughts – the first is that I know that WCS and all other major snow leopard conservation agencies like Snow Leopard Trust and Snow Leopard Conservancy who do collaring are very careful and considered about it. These organisations are desperately trying to save snow leopards in the wild. To do that they need information on cat movements and behaviour and unfortunately at the moment it is still necessary to do this by collaring. It is hoped some time in the future this may not be necessary. I know that snow leopard researchers do regular ethical reviews on collaring, they do not enjoy it and do not do it lightly.
Also thanks for your comments re US military staff buying snow leopard pelts in Afghanistan. We know this has happened in the past due to ignorance but the military have agreed to extensive training and information sessions on snow leopards and to our knowledge this has now stopped.
Best regards, Sibylle Noras, Founder and Publisher “Saving Snow Leopards” website.
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