How to Save Endangered Snow Leopards

Snow leopards live in rugged mountain terrain in the Himalayas and Central Asia. They face threats from hunters, loss of habitat and a decreased food supply. Researchers estimate that between 4,000 and 7,000 snow leopards are left in the wild. You can help make a difference in the race to save endangered snow leopards from extinction.

Instructions

1. Refuse to buy any item made from snow leopards. Leopard skins can sell for thousands of dollars, creating an incentive for poachers to kill these big cats. Reducing the demand for snow leopards' skins keeps more of them alive.

2. Encourage others not to buy traditional Chinese medicines that include tiger or snow leopard bones or organs. With tougher restrictions on killing tigers, some Chinese medicine makers have started using snow leopard parts instead, believing that they bring special healing powers. Fewer snow leopards would be killed if such practices were discouraged.

3. Buy hand made crafts made by individuals in snow leopard territories. Organizations like the Snow Leopard Trust sell such items, providing an income for people who used to rely on herding. When conflicts arose between herders and snow leopards, which will kill sheep and goats, snow leopards were often killed. By providing additional income, the loss of a few domesticated animals becomes less of a problem when it happens and herders are less likely to kill the snow leopards.

4. Donate money to organizations trying to save snow leopards. You can "adopt" a snow leopard or simply donate any amount you wish. Donations often go toward educating local people about how to avoid conflicts with snow leopards and researching these elusive creatures.

5. Volunteer your time and talents to educate others or help fundraise. You can help translate educational materials into the languages of Central Asia, organize a fundraiser locally to raise money or help with activities in Asia. Whether you choose to act locally or globally, your actions do make a difference to the plight of the snow leopard.

Resources

• snowleopard.org