by Xinhua writers Hu Tao, Li Linhai XINING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- When a snow leopard mother with her four cubs jumped into his view, 53-year-old Tibetan herdsman Marpalden was just on his way to a summer ranch on the Qilian Mountains, located on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. "We can often come across snow leopards or their traces in the mountains. But, at the moment, I was so excited to see five at the same time!" recalled the herdsman. However, the excitement was mixed.