For the first time ever, researchers have documented snow leopards living in the core area of Mt. Siguniang National Nature Reserve, an alpine stronghold in the Hengduan Mountains of Southwest China. The discovery marks a major milestone in snow leopard conservation, especially in a region long suspected to harbor the elusive big cats but lacking concrete evidence—until now.

Between November 2022 and August 2024, a network of infrared camera traps was deployed across the steep terrain of Changping Valley, one of three major valleys in the reserve. The valley, with elevations ranging from 3,100 to 6,250 meters, was selected for its steep gradients, diverse habitats, and minimal human disturbance. Over the 22-month study period, four individual adult snow leopards were recorded at elevations between 4,177 and 4,709 meters, captured in 33 independent detections across five camera locations.

This effort represents the beginning of systematic wildlife monitoring in the reserve’s core, a region that had previously lacked any structured snow leopard surveys. Although there had been rare sightings along the borders with neighboring reserves, this is the first direct evidence confirming the species’ presence within the heart of Mt. Siguniang.

The survey used motion-triggered cameras placed primarily above 4,500 meters in grid-based sampling units. Sites were selected based on topographical features preferred by snow leopards—such as cliffs and scree slopes—as well as signs of activity including scrapes, scats, and tracks. Cameras captured not only snow leopards but also other key species, including bharal (blue sheep), red foxes, sambar deer, and the rare Chinese monal. These species play vital roles in the alpine ecosystem and indicate a healthy prey base for snow leopards.

This new data fills a crucial gap in snow leopard distribution maps for the Qionglai Mountains. The region, part of one of the world’s 36 global biodiversity hotspots, is already known for harboring iconic species such as the giant panda and Sichuan golden monkey. Yet, snow leopards—despite their status as a flagship species for high-altitude conservation—had not been the focus of detailed monitoring here until now.

China is home to the largest portion of the global snow leopard population and holds about 60% of the species’ habitat range. However, due to their elusive nature and the inaccessibility of their mountainous terrain, snow leopards remain poorly studied across much of their Chinese range. Regions such as Qinghai, Tibet, and Xinjiang have seen more intensive research efforts, while areas like the Hengduan and Qionglai mountain ranges have remained largely under-surveyed.

The presence of snow leopards in Mt. Siguniang may also have broader implications for regional conservation. The area is positioned as a potential wildlife corridor connecting known snow leopard populations in neighboring reserves like Wolong. Landscape connectivity is critical for maintaining healthy populations, allowing for gene flow and movement between isolated habitats. While GPS tracking has yet to confirm movement between these regions, the physical terrain—high-altitude ridgelines and undisturbed alpine zones—offers plausible pathways for dispersal.

Despite the promising findings, researchers caution that much remains unknown. The current survey covered only part of Changping Valley and does not yet represent the broader 440 km² reserve. Future work will require expanded camera coverage, long-term monitoring, and collaboration with nearby reserves in the Qionglai and Min Mountain ranges. Coordinated efforts are needed to standardize data collection and to understand how snow leopard populations across this mountain network are connected—or isolated.

This first documentation of snow leopards in the core of Mt. Siguniang National Nature Reserve signals a hopeful beginning. With sustained research and cross-regional collaboration, conservationists now have a clearer path forward to protect one of Asia’s most iconic and threatened predators in one of its most critical and fragile habitats.