The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a solitary and elusive big cat native to the seven great mountain ranges of Central Asia. Well adapted to its cold, high-altitude habitat, the snow leopard features thick, smoky-gray, luxuriant fur patterned with rosettes and spots that blend perfectly with its mountainous terrain. These cats are agile, stealthy predators, primarily hunting wild sheep and goats of the high mountains.

Snow leopards are classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Their elusive nature and the harsh environments they inhabit make population estimates difficult, but conservation efforts are underway across their range, focusing on habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and community-based conservation programs. Revered in many local cultures, the snow leopard stands as a powerful symbol of wilderness and resilience in some of the world’s most remote and unforgiving landscapes. RMCC’s research aims to improve snow leopard prey surveys through the use of thermal-equipped drones.