ABOUT SNOW LEOPARD
The highest cat in the world.
They are characterized by their large limbs and long tails.
The sight of them living quietly in the snowy mountains,
Truly a "lone champion."
Due to climate change, poaching, and conflicts with people,
It is feared to be at risk of extinction.
Why protect snow leopards?
We will introduce how we protect you.
About the Snow Leopard
The highest cat in the world. High mountain areas, which are difficult for humans to set foot in, inevitably tend to be border areas, and research has not progressed, so the ecology of snow leopards is still full of mysteries. We believe that in order to "protect" endangered species, we must first know about them (clarify their ecology), and then know the environment of their habitat and the culture and economy of the people who live there, which will lead to proper conservation activities.
The significance of studying snow leopards
When we hear the term "global warming," many people may think of polar bears in the Arctic, penguins in the Antarctic, and other animals that live on ice. It is true that polar regions such as the Arctic and Antarctic are experiencing high rates of temperature rise, causing glaciers to melt. However, mountainous regions such as the Himalayas, the Alps, and Patagonia are also known as the "third pole," and are home to glaciers. The melting of these mountain glaciers causes large amounts of water to flow out, causing "inland tsunamis" in various places*.
*Below is the boxed area: Areas with mountain glaciers such as the Himalayas, the Alps, and Patagonia.
出典： NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5207/
*Taylor, C., Robinson, T.R., Dunning, S. et al. Glacial lake outburst floods threaten millions globally. Nat Commun 14, 487 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36033-x
Mountain glaciers are the source of many of Asia's great rivers and nurture diverse ecosystems and civilizations.
Because mountainous areas that are difficult for humans to enter tend to be border areas, snow leopards live in 12 countries, from Russia in the north to Nepal and Bhutan in the south, and exist with diverse cultures. Since the degree of global warming varies depending on their habitat, snow leopards can also be seen as a barometer of global warming.
Source: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2023-1 https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22732/50664030
Snow leopards, at the top of the ecological pyramid, are affected by various human activities such as development, invasive species, and poaching, in addition to global warming. Camera traps, biochemical analysis of traces, and data collection by data loggers are used to evaluate the impacts. Feces can also be used to evaluate the stress and reproductive status of animals.
*The photo below is a composite of animals captured on the camera, with the snow leopard's urine spray at the center ( click on the image to see all nine types ).
The relationship between snow leopards and people
The main occupation of people living in the high mountains is livestock farming, which requires harmony with the natural environment. Economic activity and wildlife conservation are closely related.
In recent years, snow leopards have been attacking livestock due to various factors such as population growth, overgrazing, and changes in the livestock environment caused by climate change. The impoverishment of people who have lost their precious source of income and the increase in the number of snow leopards killed in retaliation are major problems (especially in India and Nepal).
Aiming for coexistence between snow leopards and people, "Protect Snow Leopards Project" creates products in Kyrgyzstan, one of the countries where snow leopards live, using materials such as wool and honey that are unique to mountainous countries, and works to revitalize the local community, support women, and educate children about the environment. In addition, by selling the products at zoos in Japan, the project conveys Kyrgyz culture and works to connect Japan with the country where snow leopards live.
In our research in Nepal, we are investigating the differences in stress and reproductive status of snow leopards in areas with different prey and livestock populations in order to clarify the ecology of snow leopards that attack livestock. We are also asking people living in the habitat to join us as citizen scientists by collecting feces and setting up camera traps, which helps to promote understanding of snow leopards and provides a source of cash income.
Relationships between snow leopards and countries
In addition to being a "keystone species that supports the vast ecosystem of Asia," there is another important thing to say about snow leopards: they are "ambassadors of peace."
Government officials from Afghanistan, India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Mongolia, and Russia, even in conflict zones, are gathering to hold conferences on snow leopard conservation.
In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Japan began diplomatic relations with the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations, a snow leopard came to a Japanese zoo from Kazakhstan. To mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Sapporo's Maruyama Zoo, ambassadors from Central Asia, and us, the Snow Leopard Sisters, held a lecture. We believe that learning about the cultures of the people and the natural environment behind animals is an important opportunity to turn the "stories" of distant countries into familiar "stories."
If you have any questions about snow leopards or would like to consult with the "Protect Snow Leopards Project," please feel free to contact us via " CONTACT " on the HOME page.