A snow leopard has been spotted on the grassland near the China-Mongolia border, according to local authorities in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The local police in Siziwang Banner in the region received a report Sunday from local herders about a "big white cat" lying on the grassland and confirmed that it was a snow leopard.

There were no visible injuries on the animal's body and it seemed to be in a good condition, according to Lu Huawen, head of the wildlife and wetland protection station in Ulanqab City, which administers Siziwang Banner.

This is the first time a snow leopard has been found in Siziwang Banner, Lu added.

Snow leopards are under China's highest national-level protection and are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

In China, they can be seen in alpine areas in southwestern, northwestern, and northern regions including Tibet, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Gansu and Inner Mongolia.

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