Snow Leopards

STATUS: Vulnerable

ABOUT

The mysterious Snow Leopard is often referred to as the ghost of the Asian mountains or scientifically known as Panthera Uncia.  They are located across 12 countries in central Asia namely China, Russia, Nepal, Mongolia and Bhutan to name a few.  The Snow Leopard has a thick silver-grey coat that makes them the perfect predator for snow-capped, mountainous environments. The adults can weigh up to 32kg with the bulk weight made up of their big fluffy fur coat.  The fur can be as much as 5cm thick on their backs and sides, which is nothing compared to the 12cm on their belly – making them well insulated for the cold weather of the Himalayas. 

Snow Leopards cannot roar, though communicating is actually not a problem for snow leopards because their main call, described as a piercing yowl is so loud that it can be heard over a gushing waterfall hence the reason why they are referred as the ghost of the Asian mountains. They use their strong tails to help provide them balance and agility to allow them to easily pounce on their unsuspecting prey.  Snow leopards are normally isolated animals who love roaming round the mountains especially during the night; covering the distance of a marathon.  This makes it very difficult for scientists to study the snow leopards, not to mention the strong winter conditions and the fact that snow leopards live in high altitudes, usually at elevations of 3000 – 4500m.

Sadly, scientists today have placed their population estimates to being as low as 3,500 – 6,500 remaining in the wild.  The numbers do vary on up to date population of the species as they are extremely elusive.  However, the numbers are expected to decline about 10% by 2040.  Snow leopards are facing tremendous threats such as habitat loss due to human-wildlife conflict, poaching for illegal trade of their fur and climate change leading to deterioration of their habitats.  Climate change has resulted in the snow leopards’ main prey, the blue sheep, whom of which are not actually blue, too become scarce in numbers.  A blue sheep provide the snow leopard enough food to last them a week and are finding it hard to keep up the food intake needed to survive, leaving them to die from starvation.

Poaching is affecting all animals around the world and most of the time this trade happens in the dark which makes it rather hard when it comes to catching them.  Poachers hunt snow leopards not only for their fur but also for other body parts that get sold for use in traditional Chinese medicine to the highest bidder.  Between 2008 and 2016 alone, one snow leopard has reportedly been killed and traded everyday – 220 to 450 cats per year. Scientists fear that the true extent of the problem is thought to be even bigger.

As a result, snow leopards really need your help.  Brnd & Co are working alongside local communities and animal charities to address and assist some of the threats snow leopards face as best as we can with our donations.