Snow leopards are pictured in Shiqu County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2026.

Three snow leopards, a mother and her cubs, were photographed in Shiqu County on Tuesday.

Known as the "king of the snow mountains," snow leopards are under first-class national protection in China. They are native to snow-capped mountains in central and southern Asia and serve as a barometer for the health of the entire high-altitude ecosystem. (Photo by Wen Zhenxiao/Xinhua)

Snow leopards are pictured in Shiqu County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2026.

Three snow leopards, a mother and her cubs, were photographed in Shiqu County on Tuesday.

Known as the "king of the snow mountains," snow leopards are under first-class national protection in China. They are native to snow-capped mountains in central and southern Asia and serve as a barometer for the health of the entire high-altitude ecosystem. (Photo by Wen Zhenxiao/Xinhua)

Snow leopards are pictured in Shiqu County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2026.

Three snow leopards, a mother and her cubs, were photographed in Shiqu County on Tuesday.

Known as the "king of the snow mountains," snow leopards are under first-class national protection in China. They are native to snow-capped mountains in central and southern Asia and serve as a barometer for the health of the entire high-altitude ecosystem. (Photo by Wen Zhenxiao/Xinhua)

Snow leopards are pictured in Shiqu County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2026.

Three snow leopards, a mother and her cubs, were photographed in Shiqu County on Tuesday.

Known as the "king of the snow mountains," snow leopards are under first-class national protection in China. They are native to snow-capped mountains in central and southern Asia and serve as a barometer for the health of the entire high-altitude ecosystem. (Photo by Wen Zhenxiao/Xinhua)

Snow leopards are pictured in Shiqu County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2026.

Three snow leopards, a mother and her cubs, were photographed in Shiqu County on Tuesday.

Known as the "king of the snow mountains," snow leopards are under first-class national protection in China. They are native to snow-capped mountains in central and southern Asia and serve as a barometer for the health of the entire high-altitude ecosystem. (Photo by Wen Zhenxiao/Xinhua)

Snow leopards are pictured in Shiqu County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2026.

Three snow leopards, a mother and her cubs, were photographed in Shiqu County on Tuesday.

Known as the "king of the snow mountains," snow leopards are under first-class national protection in China. They are native to snow-capped mountains in central and southern Asia and serve as a barometer for the health of the entire high-altitude ecosystem. (Photo by Wen Zhenxiao/Xinhua)