KARACHI: The World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) released on Saturday rare footage of two snow leopard cubs found thriving in Dhee Nala, in the buffer zone of Khunjerab National Park, where community members have reported an increase in the number of snow leopards in the Karakoram range.

The release of the footage was timed to coincide with International Snow Leopard Day observed on Saturday.

The footage, captured by a local wildlife photographer Imtiaz Ahmad, highlights how the snow leopard is important in keeping the ecosystem in balance, with their presence indicating the good health of their high-altitude habitat.

Ahmad has been following these cubs since birth and continues to do so now that they are six months old.

A recent WWF-P study says between 221 and 450 snow leopards killed across the world every year

“I have been recording their presence since birth so that my community can learn more about this species, understand how they are linked to our lives, change perceptions around them and save them from extinction,” he said.

Studies estimate snow leopard habitat in Pakistan to be around 80,000 sq km, which forms 4.5 per cent of the global snow leopard range.

Only 11pc of this area or habitat range has been researched as the rough terrain and harsh climatic conditions make this considerably difficult.

A recent WWF report suggests that between 221-450 snow leopards are killed every year globally and around 55pc of these killings are in retaliation to snow leopard predation on livestock.

“It is vital that we recognise the importance of the habitat that supports this species, not only for the sustainability of local livelihoods but also for the millions of people who live on the plains of which the glaciers provide tonnes of fertile sediment vital for agriculture,” WWF-Pakistan official Rab Nawaz shared.

He also emphasised the need to determine the number of animals inhabiting the range states to effectively manage the species and their habitat.

“The survival of many threatened species, including the snow leopard, is at stake due to habitat degradation and unsustainable infrastructure development. Climate change is making it harder to undertake conservation efforts with communities experiencing extreme poverty caused by climate-related shocks.”

The footage, which has been produced and packaged by Nyal Mueenuddin Films, can be viewed on WWF-Pakistan’s social media channels.

The organisation has been working to restore and conserve endangered wildlife species in Pakistan for over five decades by supporting the management of national parks, reducing conflict between snow leopards and communities, boosting rural development and mitigating illegal wildlife trade.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2021