The Elusive Snow Leopard

The elusive, mysterious snow leopard slinks though the Himalayas, rarely seen by humans.

For the first time, representatives from every country in the snow leopard's range will meet to discuss conservation strategies for this highly endangered species.

An estimated 3,500 to 7,000 snow leopards live in the rugged mountaintops of central Asia. Population numbers are difficult to narrow down, due to the cats solitary and secretive nature and remote habitat.

Today, snow leopards are threatened by poaching for their pelts and body parts, loss of habitat, increased conflict with humans and livestock, and dwindling populations of the wild sheep and wild goats that are their main prey.

Snow leopards roam over the mountains in 12 nations: China, Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The countries' representatives will talk with experts in Beijing from March 9 to 11 to come up with a cooperative conservation plan.

The 2008 International Snow Leopard Conference is hosted by the Chinese Institute of Zoology in partnership with Panthera Foundation, and co-sponsored by the Snow Leopard Trust, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Snow Leopard Network.

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