What is the IUCN Red List status of the snow leopard?

The snow leopard is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, lives in the high mountains of Central and South Asia. Its range stretches from Afghanistan and the Himalayas through the Tibetan Plateau, Mongolia, western China, and parts of southern Siberia. Thick fur, wide paws, and a long tail help it survive cold, steep terrain.

Vulnerable is a serious conservation category, but it is not the same as Endangered. The IUCN assessment reflects threats such as habitat degradation, loss of wild prey, retaliatory killing after livestock attacks, poaching, and the effects of climate change on mountain ecosystems.

Snow leopards are famously elusive and difficult to count, so population estimates carry uncertainty. Their range crosses 12 countries, making international cooperation essential. The species is also listed in CITES Appendix I, which gives it the highest level of protection from international commercial trade.