Snow leopard spotted in Munoor Valley, Chitral

A snow leopard, an endangered species, has been sighted in the populated Munoor Valley of Garam Chashma, Chitral, according to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department.

“The number of snow leopards in Chitral, one of the world’s rarest species, ranges between 26 and 32,” said Farooq Nabi, Chitral’s Divisional Forest Officer. The snow leopard that was seen two days ago was last sighted in that location in 2015.

According to Farooq Nabi, the care and monitoring of snow leopards is being carried out by the Wildlife Department in collaboration with the Snow Leopard Foundation. Snow leopards are found in the mountain ranges of Lower Garam Chashma, Gabor Valley, Arkari Valley, and Manur Valley. “Chitral is among the few regions in the world where the local community protects this rare species instead of harming it.”

Read: International Snow Leopard Day: Renewed resolve to protect Pakistan's 155 endangered mountain cats

”The snow leopard appeared here after nearly ten years. Its arrival brought both excitement and some fear among the locals. However, due to the awareness campaigns conducted earlier, no one attempted to harm it,” said watcher Saddaruddin, who is responsible for monitoring snow leopards in Manur Valley and for guiding the community on how to protect them.

Officials said that a similar sighting was reported in Chitral a few years ago as well. They added that Chitral wildlife teams are actively working on the conservation and long-term survival of the snow leopard in the region.

The Wildlife Department further stated that local residents have been informed about necessary safety measures following the latest sighting.