Viral Video: Playful moments of elusive snow leopards caught on camera, netizens rejoice ‘joy of playing outside’

Even animals are embracing the winter season, with snow leopards seen skidding and playing in the snow in a viral video from Zanskar Valley. Amid frequent snowfall in the Himalayan regions of India, the video captures the fun moments of these elusive creatures playing in the snow. 

The video, shared by Tamil Nadu Additional Chief Secretary Health Dept, Supriya Sahu, on January 6, showed the rare creatures playing together, jumping, and sliding on snow. 

Snow leopards are known for their elusive nature and are rare to spot. Hence, they are commonly known as “ghosts of the mountains." 

So far, the video has received 21,000 views and thousands of likes. Social media users on X have shared it widely.

Watch | Snow leopards playing with each other

“A fleeting dance of wild joy - Snow leopards somewhere in Zanskar valley in Ladakh,” posted Supriya Sahu, sharing the video on X. 

Several netizens hailed the beautiful video of the snow leopards from Zanskar Valley in Ladakh. Many even declared it one of the “best things they have watched on the internet today.”

“Zanakar is almost Paradise,” commented a user on the post. 

“That's so Beautiful,” commented another user. 

“What a lovely video of the most elusive animal Compliments on getting such a nice shot in such a hostile environment [sic].”

“Having that taile amazing to see [sic].”

“Bromance of the Beasties - Awesome Ambassadors of Life in Ladakh's Wild [sic].”

“One of the rare videos of leopards playing in snow. Beautiful to eyes [sic].”

“Incredible nature. Thanks for such a precious footage [sic].”

“I hope and pray humans don't encroach their happiness for some skiing greed..!! [sic]”

Snowfall in Kashmir

Most parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, Sonamarg and Gulmarg, received a fresh spell of snowfall on Sunday, January 5. The mercury stayed close to the freezing point in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir for the second consecutive day.

Snowfall was witnessed in several areas of Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara districts in north Kashmir and some parts of Budgam and Ganderbal districts in central Kashmir in the morning, officials said.

The night temperature in the Valley dipped sharply, with Kokernag in south Kashmir freezing at -8.1°C, the coldest in the region.