(Image Source: Wildlife Conservation Society)

BY: TRACY PFEIFFER

ANCHOR: CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Researchers have photographic proof of what they’re calling a  “surprisingly healthy” population of endangered snow leopards in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Native to central and south Asia, the snow leopard is partial to mountain regions. The Wildlife Conservation Society, which was behind the discovery, says the leopards’ numbers have dropped as much as 20 percent in less than two decades. (Images: Wildlife Conservation Society)

An article from the International Business Times calls the snow leopard one of the most elusive animals in the world -- and explains their dwindling numbers.

“The sleek and beautiful cats are victims of human intervention - destroyed by poachers, killed by shepherds protecting their flocks, and targeted by illegal pet traders.”

Researchers captured photos of the creatures using camera traps, a tactic commonly used to document more elusive animals or behaviors. The New York Times’ Dot Earth blog explains.

“The basic trap consists of a camera and a means of triggering it — often an infrared device or some other motion sensor. Workers try to set the traps in areas the target animal is likely to pass through — en route to a water or food source, for example.”

Finally -- a writer for Discover Magazine says - it’s refreshing to hear stories about new discoveries in a time when it seems like humans have already overturned every stone.

“I really love the fact that I live in the early 21st century for a host of reasons. That being said, one aspect that’s certainly true is that when it comes to charismatic natural variety and geography there are very few ‘blank spots’ on the map... So I always find stories like this interesting, because they capture a sliver of the wonder that once was so commonplace.”

Experts with the WCS estimate only 4 to 7,000 snow leopards exist in the wild today. 

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Transcript by Newsy.