October 23rd, 2026

The International Day of the Snow Leopard, observed on October 23, celebrates one of the world's most elusive big cats and calls for protecting its mountain habitat. Snow leopards live in the high mountains of Central and South Asia across twelve countries, where they are threatened by poaching, retaliation by herders, habitat loss, and climate change. The date marks the anniversary of the 2013 Bishkek Declaration, in which the countries with snow leopard populations committed to work together on their conservation. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day in 2024, and it is observed with educational programs, wildlife talks, and fundraising for local conservation projects.