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Snow leopard in the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alay mountains
Since 2017 the IUCN has classified the snow leopard as Vulnerable (previously Endangered). More than half of Kyrgyzstan's territory is potential habitat for the species.
Open on the interactive globeThe Snow Leopard Trust estimates the population in Kyrgyzstan at 150-500 animals across about 105,000 square kilometres. Reviews of the species' status in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan published in February 2026 identify poaching of prey, retaliatory killing over livestock losses, illegal trade, overgrazing, weak law enforcement, infrastructure development and climate change as threats. The Snow Leopard Trust and its Kyrgyz partner foundation run research and community programmes in the Sarychat-Ertash landscape and the Shamshy sanctuary.
Species
| Species | IUCN status | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthera uncia Panthera uncia | vulnerable (IUCN VU) | snowleopard.org |
Needs
- anti-poaching
- habitat
Who is helping
Organisations that, according to their own publications, work on this event (1). Donations go directly to each organisation's own website - GLOBURNS does not handle payments.
- Snow Leopard Trust (SLT)A Seattle-based organisation protecting the snow leopard across its range. In Kyrgyzstan it has worked with the Snow Leopard Foundation Kyrgyzstan since 2001, running…Donate on the organisation's website (snowleopard.org)
Sources
- snowleopard.org snowleopard.org/our-work/where-we-work/kyrgyzstan/
- publicera.kb.se publicera.kb.se/slr/article/view/63883
- publicera.kb.se publicera.kb.se/slr/article/view/63876
- snowleopard.org snowleopard.org/frequently-asked-questions-on-snow-leopards-red-list-status/
Seed record, before editorial verification. Every number links to its source; report errors on the Corrections page. Methodology · Corrections
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