Mustang, Dec 12: Sixteen sheep and three mountain goats were killed in a snow leopard attack nearby Temperate Horticulture Development Centre at Gharpajong-2, Marfa last night.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project Jomsom has reported that a snow leopard entered the sheep pen of Santosh Pariyar, a local, and killed the sheep.
There were 45 sheep in his farm. 19 sheep among them were killed in the attack by the leopard, informed Rajesh Gupta, head of the ACAP Jomsom office.
The preliminary estimate indicates a loss amounting to Rs 600,000. He shared that representatives from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Jomsom, and a team from the District Police Office are heading to the incident site.
As reported, conflicts between humans and snow leopards have been increasing visible in the area lately.
During winter, snow leopards search for prey species and come closer to human settlements in lack of grass in grazing areas.
Snow leopards, following their prey, also approach settlements and cause damage to local herders’ livestock.
In the recent times, establishing coexistence between humans and snow leopards has become tricky due to climate change effects.
Citing these reasons, some farmers have started abandoning livestock rearing business in the district.
