Snow Leopard Kills 19 Livestock in Marfa, Mustang

Last night, a snow leopard attacked a sheep and goat shed near the Temperate Horticulture Development Centre in Marfa, Gharapjhong-2. In the attack, 16 sheep and 3 goats were killed. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Jomsom confirmed that the snow leopard entered the shed belonging to local resident Santosh Pariyar.

There were 45 animals in Pariyar’s shed inside the village. According to ACAP Jomsom chief Rajesh Gupta, 19 animals died in the attack. The estimated loss is more than Rs 6 lakh.

A team from ACAP Jomsom and the District Police Office is heading to the incident site for inspection. Recently, conflicts between people and snow leopards have been increasing.

During winter, there is a shortage of grass in the higher grazing areas. Snow leopards follow their prey towards lower villages, causing damage to livestock. Because of this, snow leopards often come close to settlements in search of food.

Due to climate change, it has become more difficult for humans and snow leopards to coexist. As a result, some farmers in the district have started leaving livestock farming.