Snow Leopard
- Context (TH): Snow Leopard has been declared the National Symbol of Kyrgyzstan.
- Snow leopard (or Ghost of the Mountains) is a keystone and indicator species of high-altitude habitat. It is a flagship species for the high-altitude Himalayan ecosystem.
- It is the 7th largest cat species in the world.
- Distribution: It is native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. In India, it occurs in the Himalayan region.
- Habitat: Alpine and subalpine zones.
- Indian states/UTs with largest snow leopard population: 1st Ladakh > 2nd HP > 3rd Uttarakhand.
- Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, climate change, unregulated tourism, and competition with livestock.
- Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable | CITES: Appendix I | WPA,1972: Schedule I
