High in the mountains of Pakistan, a rescued snow leopard named Lovely purrs instead of growling—a rare and surprising trait. Orphaned 12 years ago in Gilgit-Baltistan, Lovely can’t hunt and would not survive in the wild.
“If we release her, she would just go attack a farmer’s sheep and get killed,” says her caretaker, Tehzeeb Hussain.
Pakistan is home to about 300 snow leopards, part of a global population of just 4,000 to 6,000. But each year, up to 450 are killed—over half in retaliation for livestock losses, says the WWF.
To help prevent this, the WWF and Lahore University of Management Sciences have built solar-powered, AI-equipped cameras to spot snow leopards. These cameras send text alerts to warn villagers to protect their livestock.
Set at nearly 3,000m above sea level, the cameras can recognise animals, humans and snow leopards. Ten are being tested across three villages.
Results are promising. “It’s a mother leopard, looks like she’s marking her territory,” says WWF’s Asif Iqbal, showing recent footage.
Still, the project faces hurdles. Villagers were suspicious, cutting wires and covering cameras. Cultural concerns required camera placement changes to protect women’s privacy.
Some remain doubtful. “My phone barely gets service—how will a text help?” asks Sitara, who lost all six sheep in January.
But attitudes are shifting. Elders now speak of the snow leopard’s role in balancing nature by controlling ibex and blue sheep.
With trials of smells, lights and sounds planned for September, the fight to protect these elusive predators continues.
