Ladakh adopts Snow Leopard and Black-Necked Crane, as State animal and State bird

Context

Recently, Ladakh has adopted Snow Leopard and Black-Necked Crane, as State animal and State bird, two years after it was carved out as a separate Union Territory (UT) from the erstwhile State of J&K (Jammu and Kashmir).

About Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

• Snow leopards have been categorised as “vulnerable” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
• Snow Leopard capital of the world: Hemis, Ladakh.
• Hemis National Park is the biggest national park in India and also has a good presence of Snow Leopard.
• Snow leopards act as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem in which they live, due to their position as the top predator in the food web.

About Black-Necked Crane (Grus nicricollis) 

• Black-Necked Crane have been categorised as “vulnerable” (Population decreasing).
• In India, eastern Ladakh is the only known breeding ground for Black-necked cranes outside China. 
• Black-necked cranes, considered loyal couples, are only found in Ladakh’s Changthang region.
• The estimated population of Black-necked Crane in Ladakh region is between 80-100.
• The global population is estimated to be around 6,000.
• In Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, it only comes during the winters.
• In Arunachal Pradesh, it can be seen in three areas: 
• Sangti valley in West Kameng district
• Zemithang in Tawang district
• Chug valley in Tawang district

List of State Birds & Animals