In recent years, snow leopard attacks on yaks have been increasing in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. In the fiscal year 2080/81, snow leopards from this protected region killed 16 yaks belonging to local farmers.
According to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council, the attacks occurred in Faktanglung Rural Municipality-7, Yangma. Farmers Angmu Sherpa, Gombo Sherpa, Namgya Sherpa, Chiring Sherpa, Jhamjuk Sherpa, Chimidorje Sherpa, Cheten Tasi Sherpa, Bhomo Sherpa, and Tenzing Sherpa have reported significant losses due to these attacks. Yak farming is a primary source of income for these high-altitude farmers.
Man Kumar Limbu, the secretary of the council, stated that after a technical assessment of the damage caused by the snow leopards, compensation ranging from NPR 40,000 to NPR 120,000 was provided to the affected farmers. In the fiscal year 2080/81, the council distributed a total of NPR 505,000 in compensation and relief to farmers whose yaks were killed by snow leopards.
In addition to snow leopard attacks, the council reported incidents involving other wildlife. In Sirijanga Rural Municipality-8, Yamphudin, two oxen were killed by leopards, and in Faktanglung-5, four goats were attacked. The council provided NPR 50,000 in relief for the oxen and NPR 30,000 for the goats.
Additionally, a yak owned by Mohan Rai from Sirijanga-8 was attacked and eaten by a bear. The council provided NPR 45,000 in relief to Rai for this loss.
According to a 2015 study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal, there were 24 snow leopards in the Kanchenjunga area. No subsequent population counts have been conducted since then, leaving the current number of snow leopards in the region unknown.
The increasing attacks highlight the ongoing conflict between wildlife conservation and the livelihoods of local farmers. Efforts to balance these interests are crucial to ensure the protection of both wildlife and the economic well-being of the communities in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.
