First rescue and translocation record of a snow leopard in Upper Mustang, Nepal

This is the first documentation of the rescue, translocation, and post-release monitoring in the wild of a snow leopard Panthera uncia in Nepal. On 20 February 2025, a snow leopard that was trapped in a corral house (killing 13 Himalayan goats) in Samar, Upper Mustang, was safely captured without any sedation and translocated 62 km north (25.4 km aerial distance) to Thurlungphanth, where it was hard released. The rescue and release locations were monitored using 24 camera traps over 34 trap nights. While two snow leopards were detected near the rescue site, none were detected at the release site. Additionally, locals reported that the captured snow leopard returned, but due to a lack of clear photograph, NTNC staff were unable to verify it as the same individual. No livestock depredation was reported in the release area or in the capture site following the event.