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Snow Leopard
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Snow leopard |
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Scientific classification |
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Binomial name |
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Uncia uncia |
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Synonyms |
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Panthera uncia |
The Snow leopard (Uncia
uncia[1] or Panthera uncia[2]), sometimes
known 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 cannot roar.[citation needed]
Well known for its
beautiful fur, the snow leopard has a soft grey coat with ringed spots and
rosettes of black on brown. The fur turns white in the winter. Its tail is
heavy with fur and the bottom of its paws are covered with fur for protection
against snow and cold. The life span of a snow leopard is 15-18 years [3]
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 that of
the female. Its big furry feet act as snowshoes, like those of the lynx. In
summer, snow leopards 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. They lead largely
solitary lives, although mothers can rear cubs for extended periods of time in
cave dens in the mountains.
The snow
leopard's central Asian habitat range.
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 can find; they often kill animals three
times their size, including domestic livestock. Snow leopards ambush prey from
above when possible, as they can jump as far as 15 meters. Their 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.[4]
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Range Country |
Habitat Area in sq. km. |
Estimated Population |
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Afghanistan |
50,000 |
100-200 |
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Bhutan |
15,000 |
100-200 |
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China |
1,100,000 |
2,000-5,000 |
|
India |
75,000 |
200-600 |
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Kazakhstan |
50,000 |
100-200 |
|
Kyrgyz Republic |
105,000 |
150-500 |
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Mongolia |
101,000 |
500-1000 |
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Nepal |
30,000 |
300-500 |
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Pakistan |
80,000 |
200-420 |
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Tajikistan |
100,000 |
180-220 |
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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.[4]
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.
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
Uttarakhand, India, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.[5]
- Qomolangma National Nature Preserve,
Tibet, China.[6]
- Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, a UNESCO
Natural World Heritage Site.[7]
- Tumor Feng Nature Reserve, western
Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China.[8]
- 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.[9]
- 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.[10] 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.[11]
- 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."[12]
- 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.[6]
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
Aq Bars is the coat of arms of Tatarstan.
It is an ancient Turkic and Bolgar symbol translated as "white
leopard" or "snow leopard"
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
1.
^ a
b Cat Specialist Group (2002). Uncia uncia. 2006
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.
2.
^ 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
3.
^ In captivity they can live up to 20
years.
4.
^ a
b Snow Leopard Trust. 2006. Habitat and Range.
Retrieved 27 November 2006.
5.
^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre Nanda
Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks. Brief Description. Retrieved 27
November 2006.
6.
^ a
b Snow Leopard Conservancy. 2006. Training park
managers in the conservation of snow leopards. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
7.
^ UNESCO World Heritage Center.
Sagarmatha National Park: Brief Description. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
8.
^ Snow Leopard Network. 2005. Camera
Trapping of Snow Leopards in the Muzat Valley. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
9.
^ Snow Leopard Trust. 2006. Exciting
Milestone Reached In Collaring Project. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
10.
^ Leo the snow leopard is US-bound
11.
^ Snow Leopard Network. 2005. Snow
Leopard population in Ladakh sees phenomenal rise. Retrieved 27 November
2006.
12.
^ BBC Science Nature. 2005. Dalai
Lama campaigns for wildlife. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- 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.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Snow_Leopard&action=history
http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html