Rare snow leopards spotted in Gilgit-Baltistan near K2

Four snow leopards were recently spotted roaming through deep snow near the rugged landscapes of world's second highes mountain K2 in Ghanche district of Gilgit-Baltistan. A video of the rare big cats was captured by an official from the GB Wildlife Department.

Pakistan is one of 12 countries where the elusive snow leopard is found. Classified as an endangered species, only an estimated 300 to 400 of these majestic felines remain in the country.

Conservation efforts are actively underway worldwide, including in Pakistan, to protect and preserve their dwindling population.

A few decades ago, snow leopards were also found in Swat and Dir. However, their presence is now limited to the northern regions of Ghizer, Hunza, Astore, and Ghanche.

These big cats primarily inhabit high-altitude, snow-covered mountain ranges across two million square kilometers in Asia.

They thrive in treeless alpine zones, but climate change and rising temperatures are rapidly shrinking their natural habitat, posing a  threat to their survival.