The beautiful Snow Leopard is found mostly in Central Asia, such as China, India, Nepal and surrounds. These spotted felines live up in the snowy mountains of such countries, including the Himalayas, where their thick fur insulates them to keep their bodies warm. One of the most spectacular things about the Snow Leopard is it's amazing ability to leap as far as 15 metres (50 ft)!
Snow Leopards are classed as 'Endangered' and still have between 3,500 and 6,000 left in the wild, however their populations are rapidly decreasing. The main reasons for this decline are:
1. Climate Change
As the world is heating up the snowy areas are receding, leaving less habitat for Snow Leopards, and as they are pushed up the mountain, their food source grows scarcer leaving them with risk of starvation.
2. Illegal Hunting
Snow Leopard fur is sold in Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Russia, and their bones and body parts are used for traditional Chinese medicine. For this reason they are commonly hunted and killed, as well as many being killed by farmers whose livestock are being attacked.
While there are bans on hunting the leopards and groups teaching farmers to co-exist with them, they are still declining dramatically and need our help.
Snow Leopards are available for symbolic adoption via www.WWF.org and the money from the adoption pack goes to protecting the Snow Leopards.
Another good way to help is with Snow Leopard Trust. They are the world's leading Snow Leopard protectors and have options on their website www.snowleopard.org to donate, adopt or even shop!
http://www.defenders.org/snow-leopard/what-you-can-do
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22732/0