Its population continues to decline, due to habitat and prey base loss, poaching and retributive killing (because, due to declines in the density of wild ungulates, snow leopards then turn to livestock). According to the official statistics, the snow leopard population in Tajikistan in 2012 amounted to some 195 specimens. Tajikistan is home to its largest population (894 animals in 2012), but the number is reported to be decreasing, mainly due to poaching and competition with livestock.