Why are snow leopards endangered?

Answer 1

Although the Snow Leopard is internationally regarded and legally protected as an endangered species, currently there exist no effective measures to stop poaching and loss of habitat in Jammu & Kashmir. The Snow Leopard population of Jammu & Kashmir has increasingly come under pressure as a result of poaching for furs, loss of habitat caused by deforestation and dam projects, and loss of food sources caused by similar environmental pressures. In both Pakistan and India-administered Jammu & Kashmir, this threat to the Snow Leopard has developed.

The armed conflict of the last 8 years in Jammu & Kashmir has further exacerbated this problem as the soldiers and armed resistance groups have shown little regard for species preservation. The instability has also allowed for an illegal trade of furs. A 1994 raid on a group of traders in Srinagar that hauled more than $1 million worth of furs and garments made from 1,366 of the world's most endangered wild cats, tigers, snow and clouded leopards and Bengal tigers indicated that the lack of effective measures to preserve endangered species has deteriorated further as a result of the 8 year old conflict. Cases like these reveal that the poaching of wildlife in Jammu & Kashmir's forests and in other Himalayan regions has returned with a vengeance that threatens some of the world's most beautiful and exotic animals after a period of curtailment of such poaching in recent decades. Under this situation, the Snow Leopard is directly threatened.

K.E.W.A. advocates that strict conservation measures be put in place in Pakistan and India-administered Jammu & Kashmir. Habitat protection, captive breeding, stiff penalties for poachers and international buyers of illegal furs, and public education must all be a part of such an undertaking to save the Snow Leopard. But such an effort would require major involvement of international organizations.

Facts about the Snow Leopard

An assessment of the threat to the Snow Leopard

"That rarest and most beautiful of the great cats, the snow leopard...is wary and elusive to a magical degree, and so well camouflaged in the places it chooses to lie that one can stare straight at it from yards away and fail to see it." Yet the snow leopard's talent for invisibility has not kept it safely out of the sights of hunters, who continue to kill the cat for its "coat of pale misty gray, with black rosettes that are clouded by the depth of the rich fur". Elusiveness also has done little to help the snow leopard cope successfully with an ever-increasing influx of tourists, sheep herders, dam-builders, and other humans eager to make use of the spectacular landscape. The result is that the snow leopard, despite its remote home high in the Himalayas, has become one of the most endangered of the large cats. - Land of the Snow Leopard

More Information on the Snow Leopard:

Land of the Snow Leopard - Dr. Joseph Fox, University of Tromsø, Norway, is to lead a two month expedition this coming summer (1998) in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. The expedition is looking for volunteers. Dr. Fox and his team will search for answers as to what the snow leopard needs in order to live in relative harmony with its human neighbors. This applied ecology project will lay the foundation for snow leopard conservation in Jammu & Kashmir and other Himalayan regions. K.E.W.A.appreciates this effort and wishes the upcoming expedition all the best.

The International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT) Dedicated to the conservation of the endangered snow leopard and its mountain ecosystem through a balanced approach that considers the needs of the people and the environment. Since 1981, ISLT has worked on more than 90 projects with local populations throughout Central Asia in small, creative, and visible programs to make on-the-ground and long-lasting conservation happen.
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.
Answer 1:

Snow leopards are endangered for three reasons: habitat loss, poaching for their pelt (fur) and poaching for their organs which are used in traditional Asian medicine.

Answer 2:

Snow leopards are a rare species of leopards that are found only in certain parts of the Himalayan mountains. Because of extensive hunting and habitat loss they are an endangered species.

Once found in thousands only a few hundreds remain in the wild today

Answer 3:

Snow leopards are an elusive animal, not much is known about them. However a combination of poaching and mating habits are probably why they're endangered species.

The biggest threat to snow leopards like most other endangered animals are humans. Humans hunt them for their fur and their bones. Humans also destroy their habitat and food sources.

Snow leopards are also endangered because when their habitat is destroyed, the countries where they live are not rebuilding their habitat, and if they are, it is not successful. in 1994,

A raid on a group of traders in Srinagar that hauled more than $1 million worth of furs and garments made from 1,366 of the world's most endangered wild cats, tigers, snow and clouded leopards and Bengal tigers indicated that the lack of effective measures to preserve endangered species has deteriorated further as a result of the 8 year old conflict.

for their fur is beutiful and soft rich people like to wear their skin.
Unfortunately, humans are the reason that the snow leopard has become endangered. Humans poach the animal since the skin and bones are valuable.
The Snow Leopard is becoming extinct because their pelts command a very high price in fur markets. They live in the Himalayan Mountains, and are often called "The ghosts of the Himalayas".
No, an "estimated" 3,500 to 7,000 wild Snow Leopards roam the mountains of central Asia today. In addition, there are between 600 and 700 Snow Leopards in zoos around the world.
The reason behind the snow leopard endangerment is hunting (for its skin) and habitat loss (which makes them hunger for food).

Answer 2

Because people want their fur