International Snow Leopard Day
International Snow Leopard Day, October 23rd, honors this endangered species. It's also a day to learn more about the snow leopard and how to protect this elusive creature.
These big cats are more closely related to a tiger than a leopard, although they are often referred to a tiger than a leopard. Snow leopards live in alpine areas that are 18,000 feet in elevation, mainly in the Himalayas. The most snow leopards in China and Mongolia are found in China and Mongolia. They also live in Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Russia.
These cats are known as snow leopards because they are adapted well to the snow and cold. Their wide fur-covered feet act as natural snowshoes. Since people rarely see snow leopards in the mountains, they are often referred to as "ghosts of the mountains." One reason for this is that they usually only appear out at dusk and dawn when it's still dark. Snow leopards are also well camouflaged, making them difficult to detect.
Snow leopard facts
- Their thick fur is grey and yellow-tinged
- They have long, thick tails that they wrap around themselves to remain warm
- They meowl, yowl, or blow through their nose with their mouth closed instead of roaring
- They can travel over 25 miles in a single night
- They can jump nearly 30 feet, six times their body length, and six times their body length
- These big cats have pale grey or greenish eyes
Wild sheep account for a snow leopard's diet. However, wild sheep are also a food source for humans. With the reduced number of wild sheep, snow leopards resort to killing livestock. Snow leopards are killed by farmers and herders in this area. One reason for the poor numbers of snow leopards in the wild is retaliatory killings. Today, there could be as few as 4,000 snow leopards in the United States. Snow leopards are considered endangered due to their low numbers.
How to celebrate #snowleopardday
On this day, conservation organizations and zooos around the world will hold activities to inform the public about the snow leopard. To participate: To participate: To participate: To participate: You must register:
- See if your local zoo has a snow leopard exhibit
- Snow leopards are seen in online videos
- Donate to a conservation group that works to protect the endangered snow leopard
- Snow leopards are among the most curious animals to find out for themselves
With #SnowLeopardDay, you can finally spread excitement for this day on social media.
The first international snow leopard day in history has marked the international snow leopard day
During the first Global Forum on the Conservation of the Snow Leopard, the Bishkek Declaration was adopted on October 23rd, 2013. The forum was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz's capital. The twelve countries present at the forum announced October 23rd International Snow Leopard Day in 2014, one-year anniversary of the Bishkek Declaration.
