{
  "id": 5130889,
  "title": "The legendary snow leopard comes up against harsh realities in remarkable book",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-legendary-snow-leopard-comes-up-against-harsh-realities-in",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-02T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Scientist",
    "slug": "new-scientist",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2586947-the-legendary-snow-leopard-comes-up-against-harsh-realities-in-remarkable-book/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Snow leopards possess coats that enable them to blend seamlessly into rocky terrains. Known as \"The Ghost of the Mountains,\" the book by Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi delves into the enigmatic nature of this elusive feline. Initially dismissed by his professor, Suryawanshi's research ultimately resulted in a captivating book about the plight of the snow leopard.\n\nThe snow leopard's range once extended across Europe and Asia, but has since contracted due to climate change and human activities. Now found in 12 countries, these cats are the only large carnivores adapted exclusively to mountainous regions. Their thick coats help them disappear against rocky landscapes, and their exceptionally long tails aid in balance. The snow leopard's genetic makeup allows it to thrive in thin air, and its keen senses are well-suited to its habitat.\n\nConducting fieldwork in such an unforgiving environment is no easy feat, with researchers facing extreme conditions, such as hypothermia, blizzards, and encounters with bears. Tragedies have also befallen some researchers, further highlighting the dangers of studying the snow leopard. Despite never harming humans, the cats have not gained the trust of local herders, who view them as threats to their livestock. Poaching remains a significant issue, despite the illegality of killing snow leopards.\n\nSuryawanshi's work emphasizes the importance of coexistence between humans and wildlife, drawing on examples from the conservation of wolves in Europe. By working with local communities, Suryawanshi's team has managed to establish protected areas, such as the Tost-Tosonbumba Nature Reserve. The herders themselves are crucial in safeguarding the land, as they hold traditional land rights that can be leveraged to create reserves.\n\nThe snow leopard's story is intertwined with that of naturalist Peter Matthiessen, whose 1973 journey to Nepal to search for the elusive cat helped cement its mythical status. While Matthiessen saw the animal as a symbol of the untamed, Suryawanshi focuses on the tangible aspects of conservation, highlighting the fragility of ecosystems and cultural diversity. The book also sheds light on the politicization of conservation decisions, such as the recent downlisting of the snow leopard from endangered to vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.\n\nConservation efforts face challenges, including political and racial bias against local researchers. However, Suryawanshi's work provides a vital perspective on the conservation of snow leopards from a non-Western viewpoint. As one mountain ranger noted, the snow leopard remains a mystery, just like the majestic Everest. The rise of wildlife tourism may further commodify these animals, but it also provides economic benefits to local communities. Ultimately, the fate of snow leopards and their habitats depends on the stories that local herders choose to tell.",
  "summary": "In Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi's The Ghost of the Mountains, the near-spiritual myth of the elusive snow leopard becomes a way of understanding all that we stand to lose from the forces of climate change",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}