Snow Leopard Tally

Nepal is famous for the world's highest mountain and numerous snowy peaks. These shining mountains are, of course, the glory of the Himalayan nation. It is equally rich in flora and fauna. The rare wild animals and plants form the integral part of the vast ecosystem of mountains spreading hundreds of kilometres from east to west. Of many animals, snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an elusive yet charismatic creature that makes the high altitude terrain its habitat. The magnificent wild cat bears aesthetic and ecological value. It looks fierce as well as beautiful. Many poets and writers have poured their creative energy in describing its exquisiteness, movements and habits, fuelling people's curiosity about the enigmatic species. Look at how a poet Tony Owen portrays it: ‘Mountain ghost of Earth and sky/ solitary, as a cloud, stealthy/ in graceful muscled flow/ each icy paw perfectly placed/ silent as falling snow.’