The snow leopard in Tajikistan

The mountain ecosystem in Tajikistan is of great importance for the survival of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia). Tajikistan is located in the center of the distribution, and its mountains have a key connecting role in the entire range. The presence of snow leopards and their wild prey is an indicator of a healthy mountain ecosystem of unique ecological, economic, esthetic, and spiritual significance. The total habitat of the snow leopard in Tajikistan covers about 85,700 km2, which represents 60% of the total area of the country and about 2.8% of the current global range of the species. Snow leopards are widely distributed in the Pamir and Pamir-Alai systems; density is highest in the Rushan, Yazgulem, Vanch, Shugnan, Ishkashim, Sarykol, and Trans-Alai ranges. While localized camera-trap studies have been conducted, there is no reliable country-wide population estimate, but rather a guess of 250–280.