Important Days 24 October 2026
International Snow Leopard Day 2026 Observed on October 23
Why in the News?
**International Snow Leopard Day** is observed annually on **October 23** to raise global awareness about the conservation of the vulnerable *Panthera uncia* (snow leopard) and to protect fragile high-altitude mountain ecosystems.
Key Features / Major Points:
- Origin: Established under the **Bishkek Declaration in 2014** and further endorsed by international conservation frameworks.
- Global Population: Estimated at fewer than 10,000 mature individuals distributed across 12 Central and South Asian mountain range countries, including India, China, Mongolia, and Nepal.
- India's Population Status: According to India's first-ever nationwide Snow Leopard Population Assessment (**SPAI**), the total count stands at **718**:
- Ladakh: 477
- Uttarakhand: 124
- Himachal Pradesh: 51
- Arunachal Pradesh: 36
- Sikkim: 21
- Jammu & Kashmir: 9
- Major Threats: Habitat fragmentation, climate change impacts, depletion of natural prey, poaching, and retaliatory killings by herders due to livestock predation.
Static GK Facts:
- Scientific Name: *Panthera uncia*.
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable.
- State Animal: The snow leopard is the state animal of Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: When is International Snow Leopard Day observed globally every year?
A: October 23
Q: The historic Bishkek Declaration for snow leopard conservation was adopted in which year?
A: 2014
Q: According to India's SPAI report, which region recorded the highest number of snow leopards in the country?
A: Ladakh (477)
Q: What is the IUCN conservation status of the snow leopard?
A: Vulnerable
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