Sharp rise in Tibet's snow leopards

The number of snow leopards in the Mount Qomolangma area of the Tibet autonomous region has risen sharply in the past two decades, but authorities are viewing the increase with mixed feelings, China News Service reported.

Bhuchung, deputy director of the Mount Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, said on Thursday that half of the attacks on wild animals in the area are caused by snow leopards.

Mount Qomolangma is also known as Mount Everest in the West.

The reserve was approved by the Tibet autonomous region government in 1988 and upgraded to a national nature reserve in 1994, protecting the ecological system on the mountain and plateau.

Studies had shown that the snow leopard was rarer than the giant panda, but Bhuchung said he believes the establishment of the reserve gives wild animals greater protection.

He said snow leopard numbers have increased sharply in 20 years, but more than 40 cases were reported in 2012 of snow leopards attacking livestock.

To reach an accurate figure for the number of snow leopard in the area, a Chinese non-profit foundation will invest 5 million yuan ($833,000) over three years to launch a special protection plan, Bhuchung said.