Apr 14, Kathmandu - Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal’s only hunting reserve, is set to conduct its first-ever snow leopard population survey. Although snow leopards are known to inhabit the high-altitude regions of the reserve, no formal count has been carried out so far.

According to Reserve Ranger Sagar Subedi, specialized training is underway for the census team. The survey will involve staff from the reserve, trained enumerators, and local community members. To facilitate accurate counting, 56 cameras will be installed across the high mountain hunting blocks.

“We are undertaking this unprecedented effort to understand the snow leopard population. Approximately ten enumerators will set up cameras over 45 days, capturing live photos and videos, collecting footprints and scat samples to prepare a detailed report,” Subedi explained. “The images and evidence captured will help determine the number of snow leopards in the area. Next year, we plan to conduct counts for the local communities of Naura and Jharal as well.”

The snow leopards’ habitat in the reserve spans from 4,000 to over 7,000 meters in elevation. Covering an area of 1,325 square kilometers, the reserve’s headquarters are in Baglung, but it extends into Madhya and Rukum districts. The census will focus on various hunting blocks, including Seng, Sundah, Dogadi, Ghushtung, Barse, and Fagune.

Ranger Subedi added that automatic cameras will be placed along potential snow leopard pathways, rocky terrains, ridges, and passes to photograph and identify individuals based on their body markings. Scat samples will also be tested in laboratories, and footprints along with other signs will be used to estimate the population.

According to the 2079 census, the reserve previously documented 1,290 Naura and 744 Jharal (species of mountain goat and bharal respectively), indicating a healthy ecosystem that supports snow leopards.