The Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia[1] or Panthera uncia[2]), also known in some instances as the Ounce, is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of central and south Asia. The taxonomic position of this species has been subject to change. In the past, many taxonomists included the snow leopard in the genus Panthera, with several of the other largest felids, but later it was placed in its own genus, Uncia. However, most recent molecular studies place the species firmly within the genus Panthera, although the exact position remains unclear.[2] Along with the Clouded Leopard, it represents an intermediate between so-called big cats and smaller specimens as it can neither roar nor purr. Well known for its beautiful fur, the snow leopard has a soft grey coat with ringed spots and rosettes of black on brown. Its tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of its paws are covered with fur for protection against snow and cold
| Snow Leopard | |
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| Genus: | Uncia Gray, 1854
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| Species: | U. uncia
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| Uncia uncia Schreber, 1775
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Panthera uncia | |
Description
Weighing up to 75 kilograms, the snow leopard can be distinguished from other similar species by its proportionately longer tail, which helps it maintain its balance on the rugged terrain and unstable surfaces of its habitat. The snow leopard's tail also doubles as a warmth cover and is used to cover its nose and mouth in very cold conditions. The male's head is usually much squarer and wider than the female's. Its big furry feet act as snowshoes, like those of the lynx. In summer they usually live above the tree-line on mountainous meadows and in rocky regions at an altitude of up to 6000 m. In winter they come down into the forests at an altitude of about 2000 m. Snow leopards lead largely solitary lives, although mothers can rear cubs for extended periods of time in a cave den in the mountains.
Snow Leopards have grey-and-white fur with numerous rosettes on the flanks and spots on the head and neck, similar to jaguars. Their tails are striped. They are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever meat they may find; they often kill animals three times their size, including domestic livestock. Snow leopards may also ambush prey from above when possible, as they can jump as far as 15 metres. The snow leopard's agility often proves helpful when ambushing prey and traversing through mountains. Their diet consists of ibex, Bharal, Markhor, Urial, boars, as well as marmots and other small rodents.
Habitat, Population, and Home Range
Snow leopards habitat in central and south Asia, a rugged mountainous region of approximately 1,230,000 square kilometers, extends through 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The total estimated wild population of the snow leopard is between 3,500 and 7,000 individuals (see table below). In addition, there are 600-700 animals in zoos around the world.[3]
| Range Country | Habitat Area in sq. km. | Estimated Population |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 50,000 | 100-200 |
| Bhutan | 15,000 | 100-200 |
| China | 1,100,000 | 2,000-5,000 |
| India | 75,000 | 200-600 |
| Kazakhstan | 50,000 | 100-200 |
| Kyrgyz Republic | 105,000 | 150-500 |
| Mongolia | 101,000 | 500-1000 |
| Nepal | 30,000 | 300-500 |
| Pakistan | 80,000 | 200-420 |
| Tajikistan | 100,000 | 180-220 |
| Uzbekistan | 10,000 | 20-50 |
An individual snow leopard lives within a well defined home range. However, it does not defend its range aggressively when encroached upon by other individuals. Home ranges can vary greatly in size. In Nepal, where prey is abundant, a home range can be as small as 30-65 sq. km; whereas, in Mongolia, with sparse prey, snow leopards need over 1,000 sq. km. to survive.[3]
Conservation
The snow leopard is a threatened species whose pelts command a very high price in the fur market. During the 1960s, the snow leopard's total population went down to 1,000 animals, but has since recovered slightly.[citation needed]
Protected Areas:
- Chitral Gol National Park, in the Northern Areas, Pakistan.
- Hemis National Park, in east Ladakh, India.
- Khunjerab National Park, Northern Areas, Pakistan.
- Nanda Devi National Park, in state of Uttaranchal, India, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.[4]
- Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, Tibet, China.[5]
- Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.[6]
- Tumor Feng Nature Reserve, western Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China.[7]
- Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttaranchal, India, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
Conservation News:
- On November 17, 2006 a female snow leopard was captured and collared in Chitral Gol National Park, in Pakistan. The 35 kg (78 pound) leopard was fitted with a GPS-Satellite collar that will provide precise data on snow leopard movements and habitat use. The name selected for the snow leopard is Bayad-e-Kohsaar (Urdu for "In memory of mountains"). Snow leopards were satellite-radio collared for the first time in Mongolia in 1996.[8]
- On 9 August 2006, The government of Pakistan donated a snow leopard cub to the Bronx Zoo in New York. The cub was rescued by a shepherd in Pakistan's Northern Areas after the devastating earthquake of July 2005.[9] Under the terms of the transfer agreement, Pakistan and the US will cooperate to develop a snow leopard conservation center.
- During the years 2003-2005, the snow leopard population in the Ladakh region of India registered a dramatic rise. "The endangered snow leopard population is increasing at a rapid pace here unlike other habitats in the rest of country. It has won the battle for its survival," said Chief Wildlife Warden for the region, C. M. Seth. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department Survey, the snow leopard population in Ladakh increased to 400 in 2005 from 230-250 in 2003, an increase of 35% per year. The officials said that the results were collected from over 100 studies from the Leh, Kargil and Kishtwar areas conducted by environmental scientists from many countries. "The growth in the population of the snow leopards in Ladakh is because of Buddhism, which prohibits its killings in the Ladakh region," Seth said.[10]
- In April 2005, it was announced in Dharamsala, India, that the Dalai Lama would head a campaign to stop an illegal wildlife trade that devastates populations of endangered Himalayan and sub-Himalayan animals. The exiled Tibetan leader has launched an awareness drive in collaboration with two conservation charities Care for the Wild International (CWI) and the Wildlife Trust of India, running throughout the Himalayan region to make Tibetans aware of the importance of protecting these endangered animals. According to the BBC, Tibetans living in exile in India and Nepal have increasingly become involved in the illegal wildlife trafficking of endangered species such as Himalayan tigers, leopards, and snow leopards. In addition to pelts and animal bones, live animals are also smuggled from India to Nepal and into Tibet, from where they are sent to the rest of China and elsewhere to supply thriving food and traditional Chinese medicine markets. Dalai Lama: "We Tibetans preach love and compassion towards all living creatures, therefore it is our responsibility to realise the importance of wildlife conservation."[11]
- The Qomolangma (pronounced Chomo lang'ma) National Nature Preserve covers over 34,000 sq.km of southern Tibet on the border between China and Nepal. The preserve includes five of the world’s highest peaks over 8,000 meters, including Mount Everest, and offers extensive habitat for snow leopards. Approximately 68,000 Tibetans live within the preserve as sedentary cultivators or nomadic herders residing in scattered villages, where livestock depredation by snow leopards is a recurring problem. In 2001, the Snow Leopard Conservancy assisted Dr. Lhakpa Sherpa of the Qomolangma Conservation Project, in conducting a seven-day management training workshop for staff from the Park Management Bureau offices. Special attention was given to the need for integrated ecosystem management, people-wildlife conflict resolution and the protection of the snow leopard.[5]
Much progress has been made in securing the survival of the snow leopard, with snow leopards being successfully bred in captivity. The animals usually give birth to 2 to 3 cubs in a litter, but can give birth to up to 7 in some cases.
Snow Leopard in Heraldry
The snow leopard (almost invariably known in heraldry as the Ounce) (Aq Bars) is a national symbol for Tatars and Kazakhs: a snow leopard is found on the official seal of the city of Almaty, and a winged snow leopard is found on Tatarstan's coat of arms. The Snow Leopard award was given to Soviet mountaineers who summited all five of the Soviet Union's 7000m peaks. In addition, the snow leopard is the symbol of the Girl Scout Association of Kyrgyzstan.
References
- ^ a b Template:IUCN2006
- ^ a b Johnson, W.E., Eizirik, E., Pecon-Slattery, J., Murphy, W.J., Antunes, A., Teeling, E. & O'Brien, S.J. 2006. The Late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: A genetic assessment. Science 311: 73-77; access date = September 26, 2006
- ^ a b Snow Leopard Trust. 2006. Habitat and Range. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks. Brief Description. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ^ a b Snow Leopard Conservancy. 2006. Training park managers in the conservation of snow leopards. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Center. Sagarmatha National Park: Brief Description. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ^ Snow Leopard Network. 2005. Camera Trapping of Snow Leopards in the Muzat Valley. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ^ Snow Leopard Trust. 2006. Exciting Milestone Reached In Collaring Project. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ^ Leo the snow leopard is US-bound
- ^ Snow Leopard Network. 2005. Snow Leopard population in Ladakh sees phenomenal rise. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ^ BBC Science Nature. 2005. Dalai Lama campaigns for wildlife. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
See also
- Janczewski, Dianne N., William S. Modi, J. Claiborne Stephens, and Stephen J. O'Brien. 1995. Molecular Evolution of Mitochondrial 12S RNA and Cytochrome b Sequences in the Pantherine Lineage of Felidae. Molecular Biology and Evolution 12(4):690-707.
- Theile, Stephanie. 2003. Fading Footprints: The Killing and Trade of Snow Leopards. TRAFFIC International. ISBN 1-85850-201-2.
External links
- ARKive - images and movies of the Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)
- PBS Nature: Silent Roar: Searching for the Snow Leopard
- BBC Planet Earth: Mountains
- International Snow Leopard Trust
- Snow Leopard Conservancy
- Biosphere Expeditions Take part in a Snow Leopard conservation expedition