Conservationists in Pakistan are using artificial intelligence to help protect the endangered snow leopard. A new system of AI-powered cameras now sends real-time text alerts to farmers when a snow leopard approaches, giving them time to secure their livestock. With only a few thousand snow leopards left in the wild, this effort could be a key step in preventing their extinction.

A Crisis for the Ghosts of the Mountains

Snow leopards are silent predators. They cannot growl, and some even purr when approached. One such leopard, known as “Lovely,” lives under human care in Gilgit-Baltistan. Orphaned and raised by people, she never learned to hunt.

“If we release her, she’ll attack someone’s sheep and get killed,” says her caretaker, Tehzeeb Hussain.

Sadly, Lovely’s story is not unique. Between 221 and 450 snow leopards are killed every year, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Most are killed in retaliation after they attack livestock. This has led to a 20% drop in their global population over the last two decades.

Only 4,000 to 6,000 snow leopards remain in the wild. Around 300 live in Pakistan, which has the third-largest snow leopard population in the world.

Smart Cameras on Patrol

To reduce killings, the WWF and Lahore University of Management Sciences have developed smart cameras that detect snow leopards and send alerts to nearby villagers.

These AI-powered devices stand tall in the cold, rocky mountains at over 3,000 meters, powered by solar panels. When a snow leopard is detected, the system sends a text message to alert farmers so they can protect their animals.

WWF conservationist Asif Iqbal demonstrates the system near snow leopard tracks. “Snow leopard territory,” he says, pointing at the prints. He reviews recent footage on a computer: humans, animals, and even a leopard marking its territory are accurately identified.

Ten cameras are currently being tested across three villages in Gilgit-Baltistan. It took three years to train the AI to recognize snow leopards, humans, and other animals with high accuracy. The team also had to find batteries that could survive the freezing winter, and special paint that doesn’t scare wildlife.

Even when mobile service is poor, the cameras store footage locally. Some devices have suffered damage from landslides, but the core system remains functional.

Gaining Community Trust

Technology isn’t the only challenge. Some residents were unsure about the cameras and feared they would invade their privacy or serve no real purpose.

“We found wires cut,” says Iqbal. “People had covered cameras with blankets.”

Cultural respect is also important. In some places, cameras were moved to avoid capturing women. Villages must first sign consent forms before cameras are installed, and the WWF requires written promises that no one will share the footage with poachers.

Gradually, community understanding is improving. Local elders are learning about the snow leopard’s role in nature. These predators keep populations of ibex and blue sheep under control, which helps protect the grasslands where livestock graze.

Still, not everyone is convinced. “We had 40 or 50 sheep. Now we’ve got four or five—because of the leopards and ibex eating the grass,” says one farmer.

Climate Change Adds Pressure

Rising temperatures are forcing farmers to move higher into the mountains, directly into snow leopard territory. This increases the chances of attacks.

Sitara, a resident, lost six sheep in a single day. “I raised them for years,” she says. “It all vanished.”

She questions the new system. “My phone rarely has service—how can a message help?”

Expanding the Tools for Protection

Technology is only part of the solution. Starting soon, the WWF team plans to use sound, smells, and lights alongside the cameras to discourage snow leopards from approaching villages.

Some poachers have already been caught thanks to technology. In one case, three men were jailed after posting photos of a dead snow leopard online.

By combining innovation with local education and legal enforcement, the team behind the AI project hopes to build a future where snow leopards and people can coexis

The mission to save snow leopards is not easy, but it’s not impossible. With smart solutions like AI alerts, conservationists in Pakistan are showing the world that technology and tradition can work together to protect endangered speci