Three snow leopards spotted in Spiti valley

Tribune News Service

Dipender Manta

Mandi, January 20

Three snow leopards were spotted together in the Spiti valley of tribal Lahaul and Spiti district yesterday, indicating an increase in the number of elusive animal in this area. Spiti is considered its habitat, where tourists come anticipating a glimpse of snow leopard.

Dream come true

I had been waiting for the glimpse of snow leopard for the past two-and-a-half years but my dream came true yesterday. I was strolling in the area when I spotted three snow leopards together near Kaza. It was a unique experience for me. — Ajay Banyal, PRO

A rare species of wildlife, snow leopards are highly threatened due to poaching for its pelt and body parts. This rare picture was clicked by government officer Ajay Banyal, who is posted as APRO at Kaza.

Talking to The Tribune, he said, “I had been waiting for a glimpse of snow leopard for the last two-and-a-half years but my dream came true only yesterday. I was strolling in the area, when suddenly I spotted three snow leopards together near Kaza. It was a unique experience for me.”

Generally, during winters due to heavy snowfall in high-altitude areas, the wildlife animals come down to lower reaches, which sometimes brings them in close contact with humans.

Last year in February, Amir Jaspa, a wildlife lover in Lahaul and Spiti, had captured the movement of the leopardess along with her two cubs in the Miyar valley of Lahaul and Spiti.

The district has become a safe habitat for snow leopards and other endangered species because the Forest Department is getting cooperation of the local community.

In December 2020, the wildlife wing had captured the movement of Himalayan serow, a goat antelope, in the Spiti valley. Himalayan serow had almost disappeared from the cold desert. It was spotted at Hurling village in the Spiti valley.

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