Leh, Jul 21: The Department of Wildlife Protection, UT of Ladakh, successfully conducted rescue and rehabilitation of a male Snow Leopard, the stated animal of the cold desert from Ney village.
On the evening of 3rd April 2025, Phunchok Wangtak, Range Officer, Leh, received a report from the Nambardar of Ney village regarding a Snow Leopard that had been roaming in the area for about a week. The leopard had reportedly killed a pet dog and a calf, and was frequently entering livestock sheds and homes, creating fear among the residents.
The team discovered that the Snow Leopard had multiple visible wounds and was bleeding. However, due to the animal’s nocturnal activity and the difficulty of tranquilizing it at night, the team opted for cage trapping.
Over the course of five days, multiple attempts were made to capture the animal safely. The Snow Leopard was finally rescued on the night of 7th June, 2025. It was immediately transported to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), Leh, where it underwent a thorough medical examination conducted by Dr. Diskit Yangzom.
The examination revealed that the animal had sustained serious facial injuries along with multiple wounds on different parts of its body, likely the result of a territorial or mating conflict with another Snow Leopard. It was also found to be underweight, weighing only 27 kg at the time of rescue, and was in a weakened state.
A rescue team led by Smanla Tsering, Rescue Incharge, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) Leh, immediately headed to the spot. The team included Dr. Diskit Yangzom, Veterinary Officer, WRRC Leh, Sonam Nurboo, Animal Handler, Parvez Ahmed, Rescue Driver, and Tajamul Hadi, Driver.
At WRRC Leh, the animal was given appropriate medical care, including, Treatment for external and internal parasites, Wound cleaning and care for facial injuries, a nutritional diet supplemented with multivitamins, and Regular health monitoring with minimal human interaction to retain wild behaviour.
The rehabilitation process lasted for over two months, allowing the animal to recover from trauma and regain strength. By the time of its release, the Snow Leopard had shown remarkable improvement, weighing 37.8 kg and demonstrating sound health and natural behaviour.
On 18th June 2025, the Department of Wildlife Protection, UT Ladakh, successfully released the Snow Leopard back into its natural habitat near Ney Phu.
