A snow leopard walks a high mountain trail in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. It is photographed using a remotely operated camera trap. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth. The camera recorded just a single image in five months.

Snow leopard in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. Threats to snow leopards' survival include the popularity of pelts, use of body parts in traditional medicine, and revenge killings by farmers already struggling in a hostile environment, who are plunged further into poverty when an animal kills valuable livestock. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

Snow leopard in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. Snow leopards conceal themselves among rocky outcrops when hunting for prey. The worldwide population of the cats is thought to be between 3,500 and 7,000, but because they are so elusive exact numbers are hard to estimate. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

Snow leopard in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. The rocky Ladakh region is typical of the sort of landscape where snow leopards can conceal themselves effectively. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

Snow leopard in the Zanskar valley, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. Snow leopards kill livestock belonging to villagers. A scheme whereby trekkers stay with villagers who have agreed to protect local wildlife, and pay for food and board, offers an incentive to conservation. The money is more than enough to replace lost stock. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

The head lama of Karsha Monastery looks out over the Zanskar valley, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas, a prime snow leopard habitat. He invokes Buddhist values of non-violence and respect for life to discourage local people from killing the cats. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

A snow leopard walks high in the mountains, in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. The cats hunt mainly at night, or at dusk and dawn. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

Ranger Ishfag Ahmad scans the slopes for mountain goats, the snow leopard's favorite prey, in the Chitral Gol National Park, Pakistan. Biologist Tom McCarthy sets a snare beside a tree raked by cat claws. After months of work, one snow leopard was captured and fitted with a satellite collar, giving valuable information on where they roam. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

Snow leopard in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. Snow leopards have the longest tails of any cat in the world. They use their tails for balance while racing down steep mountain trails after prey. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

Snow leopard in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. A snow leopard uses its exceptionally long bushy tail for warmth, wrapping it around itself on winter's nights when temperatures can drop to -40°C. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

Snow leopard in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. A snow leopard walks a high mountain trail, photographed using a remotely operated camera trap. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

A snow leopard stalks through a snow storm in the Hemis National Park, near Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. The cats' large eyes are well-adapted to low-light vision, so they can hunt in near total darkness. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, snow leopards are among the most elusive creatures on earth.

Portraits,3rd prize