Rare snow leopard, the 'ghost of the mountains,' stuns tourists with majestic walk along Spiti road

Time of India

08-05-2025

Source: Instagram
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In an unexpected twist of fate, a group of tourists on a hike along the isolated but picturesque Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh came across something unusual: a snow leopard roaming along the road quite peacefully. This glorious sighting was made around 6 and 7 PM on May 5, 2025, and was captured on camera, which has since become a viral sensation on all social media platforms. The serene grace of the big cat took audience members by surprise into shock. The team was on the way from Kaza to Nako when, en route somewhere around the road near Tabo, the shy predator padded out of hiding behind the rocks, appearing, it seemed, out of nowhere by magic. Wrapped in a white and grey coat so well camouflaged with its surroundings, the snow leopard strode down the roadside without concern, unfazed by the vehicle behind.The video, shared by tourist Jatin Gupta , captures the snow leopard striding steadily in the lead, and the tourists' muted voices heard in the distance. One person, in reverence and concern, is heard to say, "Wo bhaag rahi hai hamse," as they remark on the cat attempting to back away.Another utters a cautious warning, "Sheesha tod sakti hai," and cautions to remain at arm's length lest they provoke the creature. Even as the tourists stand in close proximity, the snow leopard gives little heed to the car, pausing for an instant before continuing its solitary path through the empty, high-altitude landscape. Gupta's caption captures the group's collective wonder so well: "We saw something unforgettable… These rare animals are seldom spotted, especially in May. A pure magical moment of our trip."The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is one of the most elusive big cats of the world. These grand cats live in Central and South Asian alpine and subalpine zones, i.e., India's Himalayas, between an altitude of 3,000 to 4,500 meters. The global population of snow leopards has been estimated to be below 10,000 individuals, and in India, recent estimates under the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Programme reported as low as 718 snow leopards throughout the country, with only 51 present in Himachal Pradesh. The numbers render them very rare, and a sighting of these animals is rare enough in itself. Even experienced wildlife photographers may spend months braving harsh weather conditions in order to catch a glimpse of the snow leopard, and that fleeting glance by the tourists was therefore an instance of good luck of heroic proportions.The video immediately went viral when it was posted on the internet and earned admiration from individuals across the world. The audience chimed in to call it a lifetime moment. "You guys are damn lucky! To catch the ghost of the mountains like that—on the road—is just not real," one commenter wrote. Others attributed the tourists with good fortune, with one joking, "Ghost of the mountains," as they understand the snow leopard to be legendary. But amid the admiration came some concern, too, for the dangers in revealing the location of such scarce sightings. The snow leopard, as a vulnerable species , is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and human intervention. Conservationists caution that revealing exact locations could inadvertently benefit poachers, endangering the species further. Consequently, there is increasing demand for responsible tourism, urging tourists to be respectful of nature and avoid disturbing fragile ecosystems.When the video became viral on social media, netizens overwhelmed the comments with awe and reflective concern. Some commented that they were in awe of the experience, calling it a rare and magical moment. "Once-in-a-lifetime experience," remarked one commenter. Others said how rare it is to sight the snow leopard, mentioning how even experienced photographers spend months navigating rough terrain simply to spot a glimpse of the animal. And yet, they speculated about the snow leopard's peaceful nature as well as how it appears to exist in low altitudes. There were questions whether the creature's behavior itself would be a sign of the animal's wellness or age. Whatever, the overall atmosphere was one of gratitude and awe at the unusual glimpse into the existence of such a majestic animal.