#international snow leopard day

[fearnes-malewife]

I don’t normally take videos of my co-workers but I think everyone can agree to an exception this time.

And some stills of the two cubs, almost 5 months old and so full of personality.

[madeleineengland]

INTERNATIONAL SNOW LEOPARD DAY 🐱 (23rd october)

Snow Leopards are often called the 'ghosts of the mountains' due to their elusive nature & their ability to blend seamlessly into their icy, high-altitude habitats. Their thick fur, large paws and long tail are adaptations to the harsh environment.

Snow leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia. Their range of distribution is over 1.8 million km2, with the largest share in China, followed by Mongolia and India, but only 3,920-6,390 individuals remain in the wild now.

Let's celebrate them but also raise awareness on Conservation and Protection of these animals. The snow leopard acts as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem in which they live. Sadly they face many threats in the wild including habitat loss due to climate change and poaching.

Here a useful link to donate: https://snowleopardconservancy.org/

Curiosity:

○ snow leopards can have between 1 and 5 cubs.

○ The cubs have blue eyes for the first few weeks.

○ Snow leopards parents don't raise their cubs together. The male leaves right after the mating.

○ The mother usually warps her long furry tail around the cubs like a fluffy blanket.

○ Due to the shape of their throats, snow leopards cannot roar.

[six-legged-sea-leopard]

u arent fucking prepared for this one

[snow-paw]

Happy international snow leopard day!

I would like to share some places to which you can donate in order to help fund conservation efforts for the wonderful animals that are so very important to me.

Snow leopard trust

Snow leopard conservancy

Some zoos do "adoption" where you can sponsor an animal in order to help the funding for the breeding programs that the animals are part of. Genuine registered and acreddited zoos are massive parts of conservation efforts, so do look onto your local/state zoo to see what they offer.

As a snow leopard therian i am always looking for ways to help them, i want to see a future where they are no longer at risk in the wilds. I want to know that they are safe.

[arthistoryanimalia]

#SnowLeopardDay:

Insignia Badge with Snow-Leopard Decoration Korean, Chosŏn dynasty, 19th century H. 21.5 x W. 18.8 cm (8 7/16 x 7 3/8 in.) Harvard Art Museums 2002.254

[agenderpaws]

happy international snow leopard day everyone, here's an image from its wikipedia article :3

[gremzon]

In honour of snow leopard day!! Behold, Hadeon holding a snep (me)

[roseoftrafalgar]

Happy International Snow Leopard Day! ❄️ Ft. Law helping a snow leopard cub with a minor arm injury.

-> for some snow leopard facts, click the readmore!

Snow leopards are sometimes referred to “ghosts of the mountains” for their elusiveness and solitary nature.

They are found in the icy mountainous regions of Central Asia (i.e Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, etc.), South Asia (i.e. Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, etc.), Russia, Mongolia, and China.

In northern Dolpo Nepalese folklore, it is sometimes believed that snow leopards carry the sins of their past lives & whoever kills them “inherits” their sins.

Often opportunistic hunters and less aggressive compared to other big cats when it comes to hunting their prey, as they will retreat from a kill if another predator threatens them. However, they are able to kill prey 3 times their own weight.

They’re more related to tigers than leopards.

They can jump 6 times their body length.

They typically have blue, green, or grey eyes & can see 6 times better than humans.

Their short nasal cavity warms the air they inhale before entering their lungs.

Their tails can serve as scarves & they sometimes like to nom on them.

-> Visit Snow Leopard Trust to learn more about snow leopards & conservation efforts, as there is less than around 10,000 in the wild!

[rabbitcruiser]

International Snow Leopard Day

Snow Leopards are captivating and powerful animals. However, they are also vulnerable to loss of prey and poaching. These animals are distributed sparsely across 12 different countries in Central Asia. They tend to be found in rugged, high mountain landscapes, at elevations between 3,000 and 4,500m. The key to protecting this species is raising awareness. That’s what International Snow Leopard Day is all about.

History Of International Snow Leopard Day

The first International Snow Leopard Day occurred on the 23rd of October in 2014. The main purpose of this day is to show the importance of snow leopard conservation and raise awareness about this incredible animal. The day also emphasizes the importance of taking measures to stop poaching, as well as consolidating efforts in terms of an environmental organization in the countries of the snow leopard range.

The day was initiated by the countries that encompass the snow leopard’s range. They include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, India, China, Bhutan, and Afganistan. On the 23rd of October, in 2013, these countries signed the Bishkek Declaration regarding the conservation of the snow leopard. This happened in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, at the very first Global Snow Leopard Forum.

Fascinating Facts About Snow Leopards

Snow leopards are able to prey on animals that are up to three times their own body weight.

They have massive, thick tails, which are able to help them maintain balance and shield them from harsh weather. Their tails are almost as long as their entire body.

A study from the WWF has recorded snow leopards living at 5,859 meters above sea level. This is the highest altitude that has ever been documented for big cats. This is about the same height as the highest mountain in Canada.

You may be surprised to learn that snow leopards are not able to roar. Instead, they mew, yowl, and growl. They also prusten, which is also known as chuffing. This is a non-threatening vocalization, which is made when they blow air through their nose.

The fur on the stomach of a snow leopard is almost five inches thick. This is so that they can survive in the harsh and cold mountain climates.

These animals are often referred to as ‘ghosts of the mountain’ because they spend most of their lives in solitude and they are rarely seen.

Snow leopards are the only big cats that call Asia’s cold deserts their home. These deserts are sometimes referred to as the third pole because they feature ice fields with the biggest reserves of freshwater outside of the southern and northern polar regions.

What Threats Do Snow Leopards Face?

The exact number of snow leopards is unknown. Experts believe that there is no more than 6,390 snow leopards around the world, yet the number could be as small as 3,920. There are a number of threats that this elusive cat faces, including poaching. Data is hard to come by in this respect because a lot of trades with snow leopard parts occur in the dark. Some research shows that one snow leopard has been killed and traded every day between 2008 and 2016. However, the true extent of the issue is thought to be even bigger.

No animal should be poached, and this is why the likes of International Snow Leopard Day are so important so that we can raise awareness about the issue. Poaching is also a problem because it takes away resources for the snow leopard. The main prey species for the snow leopard are wild goat and sheep. However, these species are also threatened by unsustainable or illegal hunting in a lot of the parts of the snow leopard range. So, if there is a decline in their populations, there is also going to be a decline in the population of the snow leopard.

Snow leopards face a number of other threats that a lot of people don’t consider. For example, their mountain ecosystem could be destroyed because of large-scale developments, including mining. Climate change also poses a number of challenges as well. Temperatures are increasing in the mountains across Central Asia. This has an impact on the entire ecosystem; from water supplies to vegetation. It is certainly worrying times for snow leopards, and a good way to spend International Snow Leopard Day is by educating yourself fully on the issues these animals face.

How To Observe International Snow Leopard Day

There are a number of different ways that you can support International Snow Leopard Day. So, here are some suggestions…

Learn and explore – One of the best ways to observe International Snow Leopard Day is to learn about this incredible creature. Spend some time reading up on the snow leopard. Find out about where the animal lives, what threats they face, and what steps we can take in order to help safeguard the future of this incredible animal.

Get creative – Another way to show your support is to get creative. There are some activities online involving the snow leopard. You can find a fun activity sheet via the WWF website.

Order a WWF Explore Badge – Another way to show your support for International Snow Leopard Day is to order a WWF Badge. This is something else that you can get on the WWF website.

Adopt a snow leopard – You can also support snow leopards by adopting one. This helps the WWF to monitor snow leopard movements, by giving local communities the support needed to do this, as well as reducing human snow leopard conflicts.

Fundraise – You may also decide to host a fundraising event. This is a great way to raise awareness about the problems that snow leopards face while also accumulating donations that can go towards helping them. There are so many different ways that you can fundraise. You may decide to host a fundraising event, such as a cook-off, bake sale, or fun run. Another option is to make products that you can sell and then you could donate the proceeds or a percentage of them to helping snow leopards.

Source

[tysonfurybattlepass]

the day draws ever closer.

[vanlegion]

YOOOO!!

Its

INTERNATIONAL

SNOW LEOPARD

DAY

SHOW ME THE BABIES!!

[madeleineengland]

Snow Leopards are crepuscular (most active in the early morning and late afternoon) and can otherwise be found resting or sleeping for up to 18 hours a day!

From Welsh Mountain Zoo.

[six-legged-sea-leopard]

baby................

[redpandazine]

It's an old myth and an internet joke - but… 

[arthistoryanimalia]

#InternationalSnowLeopardDay: The mythical winged snow leopard on the mountain, now a national symbol of Kazakhstan.

badge from The Golden Warrior burial Issyk kurgan, ca. 4th-3rd c. BCE stamped & engraved gold 7.2 × 8.5 cm National Museum of of the Republic of Kazakhstan collection

[omtai]

happy international snow leopard day to all those who celebrate