Hunza, Dec 21, 2025: Four snow leopards were sighted together in the Passu area of Hunza yesterday.
The remarkable sight — featuring a mother snow leopard accompanied by her three cubs — was captured on camera, marking only the second time such an occurrence has been officially documented in the region’s recorded history, according to environmental and wildlife conservation experts.
Snow leopards are considered among the most elusive, secretive and endangered big cats in the world. Perfectly adapted to harsh alpine environments, their thick fur and spotted coats provide natural camouflage against snow-covered and rocky mountain landscapes, allowing them to remain largely hidden from human view. Due to this extraordinary ability to blend into their surroundings, even a single confirmed sighting of a snow leopard is regarded as a significant achievement.
The appearance of four snow leopards together, therefore, is an exceptionally uncommon and noteworthy event.
Wildlife experts noted that a similar sighting was previously recorded only once before, in the Hushe Valley of Baltistan. The recent visual documentation from Hunza has now become the second verified record of such a sighting in the broader region, further enhancing its scientific and conservation value.
The stunning footage was captured by the Wakhan Wildlife Team, whose monitoring, field research, and long-term conservation efforts have played a crucial role in protecting endangered species across the mountainous regions of northern Pakistan.
According to wildlife specialists, the presence of a mother snow leopard with three healthy cubs is a strong indicator of a stable and thriving ecosystem in the Passu area. It suggests the availability of sufficient prey, favorable environmental conditions, and relatively low levels of human disturbance — all of which point toward the success of ongoing conservation measures in the region.
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