In a new paper, Anthony Simms, Zalmai Moheb, Salahudin, Hussain Ali, Inayat Ali, Timothy Wood, in “Saving threatened species in Afghanistan: snow leopards in the Wakhan Corridor,” International Journal of Environmental Studies, 2011; 68 (3): 299, the authors document the discovery of “a surprisingly healthy population” of rare snow leopards living in the mountainous reaches of northeastern Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor.

“This is a wonderful discovery — it shows that there is real hope for snow leopards in Afghanistan,” said Peter Zahler, WCS Deputy Director for Asia Programs. “Now our goal is to ensure that these magnificent animals have a secure future as a key part of Afghanistan’s natural heritage.”

This is a snow leopard captured by remote camera in Afghanistan. A team of researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society have discovered a population of these elusive big cats. (Credit: Wildlife Conservation Society; more.)