New research from India reveals that, contrary to long-held scientific beliefs, feeding on trees and shrubs does not provide Asian elephants with more protein than grazing on grass.
A comprehensive study was conducted between 2022 and 2025 across the majestic Kishtwar Himalayas, under the nationwide Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) protocol found snow leopards are not only present year-round but are also actively breeding.
Researchers undertook a comprehensive snow leopard survey covering 59,000 square kilometres of Ladakh's terrain using camera traps and field surveys.
SLC-IT, along with researchers from Panthera, New York, USA, have attempted to model the conditions for a suitable habitat for snow leopards in Ladakh. Known as the ‘snow leopard capital of the world’, Ladakh is thought to harbour 60% of the snow leopard population in India. In this first-of-its-kind study, they have used data from direct observations and camera traps.