The snow leopard, a species never seen earlier in any Kashmir region outside of Kishtwar, has now been spotted and photographed in Kargil, site of conflict with Pakistan 12 years ago. “For us it is great news,’’ said Ameen Ahmad, senior coordinator of WWF-India, a field team of which captured images of the endangered animal with sophisticated, infrared camera traps. “Earlier, we were not sure whether there are any snow leopards in that region as the area has witnessed long hostilities.” Aishwarya Maheshwari, who heads the field team and is now in Leh, was equally enthusiastic.

The study, worth Nu 2M, World Wildlife Fund officials said would focus on the snow leopard population and their places of existence to help prioritise the best areas for conservation.

WWF conservation director Vijay Moktan said there were no studies done at the park nor were there any local expert who could study snow leopards.

“So we invited wildlife experts from outside,” he said, claiming the study was first of its kind at the park. “These experts trained the local park officials.”

LUCKNOW: The cultivation of embryonic stem-like cells made up from the tissue of an adult leopard, by Rajneesh Verma, has come as a ray of hope for scientists working to save the snow leopard. Rajneesh, a native of Lucknow is presently working at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Rajneesh has pursued his studies from City Montessori School (till Class X) and Colvin Taluqdar's (Class 12). After this he went to Australia from where he completed his BSc in biotechnology from Monash University.

Jammu: With peace in the Kargil sector, snow leopards are again seen in the area. Due to the Kargil War in 1999, most of the wildlife species, including snow leopards, had abandoned their habitats in Kargil. However, with the improvement in the situation, a big cat with two cubs had been spotted in the area.
Earlier, locals claimed that they had seen the animal, though there was no evidence of the presence of the big cat, post-Kargil War.

A census of snow leopard has started in Mustang district. Conservationists say this is the first time a snow leopard census is being conducted in the country.

Nine video cameras have been installed in several areas, including Jomsom, Muktinath temple and Lubra, to count the endangered species. The moderately large cats are found along the northern frontiers in Nepal, mainly in Mustang, Mugu, Dolpa and Humla.