Why are Snow Leopards Endangered

The snow leopard is a member of the cat family. It is also closely related to normal leopards and the tiger family. The only genuine difference is that the snow leopard is a bit smaller than all the members of the big cat family. Another genuine difference is that the snow leopard, unlike the cat family, cannot roar. Wild life experts and the scientists are currently debating over the cause of this disability. Initially, it was believed that the snow leopard could not roar due to the incomplete growth of the hyoid or the lingual bone, that enables other big cats to roar. Some experts, however, have argued that this inability is due to other morphological causes. The snow leopard generally weighs between 27 to 54 kgand is about 74 to 130 cm in length.

Habitat

The snow leopards roam the enormous wilderness of central Asia. It mainly inhabits the mountainous regions of the Himalayas and Tibet, but they have also been found in some of the other parts of central Asia. Today, the existing population of the snow leopard is spread across Afghanistan, India, Mongolia, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.

Why are Snow Leopards Endangered?

The answer to the above question is mankind. Since the beginning of time man has hunted many animals for various purposes. Initially, the hunting of animals was due to the need to make warm clothing for the winters, using their fur. Unlike other animals, man evolved with time, and began to misuse his intelligence. Today, many animals like the Dodo, the Bali Tiger, and the Passenger Pigeon have become extinct because they were hunted as 'game'. Some of the animals, like the giant panda or the bison, were on the verge of extinction, and are still considered an endangered species. Sadly, the snow leopard had joined their ranks.

The basic motive behind hunting the snow leopard is its fur. The fur of the snow leopard is in great demand in the international market, and the people who can afford this fur pay huge amounts of money for it.

The body parts of tigers and leopards are also widely used in traditional Asian medicines. The bones, skin, teeth, and even the organs of the animal, are sold to be used in medicines.

Many times, the inelastic supply of land forces man to move to higher altitudes, that are inhabited by the snow leopard. Due to human settlements, the habitat of the animal is destroyed along with its prey of mountain goats, wild sheep, and all other herbivorous animals. An angry snow leopard often ends up attacking the livestock of these settlements until it is finally mercilessly killed by the settlers.

Many associations and organizations, as well as governments, are working on projects to conserve this beautiful animal. Some zoos and animal sanctuaries throughout the world have managed to create habitats for the snow leopard that are safe from poachers and hunters. Today, snow leopards roam the cold and rocky wilderness of the Himalayas. Villagers living at the foothills of the Himalayas call it the ghost cat of the mountains. Indeed, the heart of this majestic animal belongs to heights of the Himalayas where it answers the call of the wild.