Snow Leopards' Playful Antics in Ladakh: A Fleeting Dance of Wild Joy Goes Viral

A viral video shows two snow leopards playfully jumping and sliding in the snow in Ladakh's Zanskar valley. Shared by IAS Supriya Sahu, she describes it as "a fleeting dance of wild joy."

Snow leopards, also known as the "Ghost of the Mountains," are always a sight to behold. These mountain animals are rarely seen, and animal enthusiasts often wait for hours or even days in the same spot to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures. Surprisingly, a clip of two snow leopards playing in fresh snowfall has recently gone viral on the internet. IAS Officer Supriya Sahu shared this video on X (formerly Twitter).

In the clip, two snow leopards can be seen playing, jumping, and sliding on the snow. IAS Supriya Sahu described this beautiful moment as "a fleeting dance of wild joy." She also posted the video on her Instagram account, captioning it, "A fleeting dance of wild joy - Snow leopards somewhere in Zanskar valley in Ladakh."
She credited the original video to @wildshuttervibe on Instagram. Once the video was posted online, it was shared by hundreds of people and quickly went viral. According to the caption, the video was shot in the Zanskar valley of Ladakh, showing these majestic leopards enjoying a playful dance across the snow-covered peaks.

Check Out the Viral Video

India's 2024 Snow Leopard Population Revealed: Ladakh Tops with 477

According to a 2024 survey conducted by India's inaugural scientific assessment of snow leopards, led by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) program, the population is estimated at 718 individuals. Ladakh leads with 477 snow leopards, followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9). The survey, carried out between 2019 and 2023, covered over 70% of the anticipated snow leopard habitat, utilizing camera traps and extensive field surveys. The report recommends establishing a dedicated Snow Leopard Cell at WII to focus on long-term population monitoring and conservation efforts.

How the Internet Reacted

"What a lovely, carefree moment :)"
"Enjoying snow, but not like humans."
"These animals look like big cats from a distance."
"Amazing are these creatures and their ability to bear severe climatic conditions."
"It's rare to see snow leopards playing and frolicking in the snow. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful video."