Why in News?  

Two snow leopard cubs were recently born at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in Darjeeling, attracting widespread attention and emphasizing the zoo's important role in wildlife conservation.  

About Snow Leopard  

• The snow leopard belongs to the Felidae family and the genus Panthera.  
• It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.  
• Native to mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.  
• Largest populations are in the Tibetan Plateau (China), followed by Mongolia and India.  
• Other countries with snow leopard habitats include Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  
• In India, primarily found in high-altitude, cold, arid and rugged areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.  

Snow Leopard