Why snow leopards matter
Snow leopard and cub
As top predators, snow leopards’ favoured prey are the mountain sheep and goats that share their habitat. These herbivores graze on the sparse alpine plants of the region. Without the snow leopard, there would be too many herbivores, which would overgraze and degrade habitat, leaving no food for other wildlife.
The snow leopard’s habitat also provides important resources for the many people who live there – from food and medicine to wood for shelter, heat and fuel. So by helping to protect the snow leopard, we’re helping to conserve its environment for the benefit of people and nature.