A breathtaking sighting of four elusive snow leopards scaling snowy cliffs in northern Pakistan has set the conservation world abuzz.

Snow leopards, often dubbed the “ghosts of the mountains,” are notoriously difficult to spot in the wild, making this rare glimpse of a mother and her three cubs a remarkable event—hailed as a triumph for Pakistan’s conservation efforts.

The incredible footage was captured on March 13 by Sakhawat Ali, a gamekeeper and photography enthusiast from the remote village of Hushe. After tracking pawprints for two weeks in the snow-laden Central Karakoram National Park—near K2, the world’s second-highest peak—Ali finally caught sight of the majestic creatures.

“In our village, we’re accustomed to seeing snow leopards, but even the elders say they’ve never witnessed four together,” Ali shared with CNN. Initially spotting the mother, he noticed additional tracks leading him to believe cubs were nearby. His patience was rewarded when he observed them through binoculars from his rooftop, before rushing out with his camera to film them from roughly 200 meters away.

The sighting has sparked celebrations in the village, though some locals remain wary of potential threats to their livestock.

Snow leopards are currently classified as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List, with their habitat spanning 12 countries, including Pakistan, China, India, Nepal, and Mongolia. Despite their vast range, they remain among the world’s most elusive predators due to their masterful camouflage and preference for remote, high-altitude terrains.

Environmental anthropologist Shafqat Hussain describes Pakistan’s rugged northern landscapes as “perhaps the best snow leopard habitat in the world.” With their habitat under constant threat, sightings like this offer a glimmer of hope for the species' future.