Hundreds of snow leopards killed every year Hundreds of snow leopards are being killed illegally each year across the high mountain ranges of Asia, raising concerns that […]

Hundreds of snow leopards are being killed illegally each year across the high mountain ranges of Asia, raising concerns that they could become as good as extinct in the coming years.

There are only thought to be about 4,000 of these majestic creatures left and with as many as 450 being killed each year their outlook is extremely bleak, a new report warns.

Snow leopards are sought by poachers for their thick fur as well as their bones and other body parts, which are said to have medicinal properties.

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Retaliatory killings

However, poaching only accounts for about a fifth of killings. The majority are motivated by revenge, being carried out by locals in retaliation for livestock deaths, said the report, by WWF-UK and Traffic, the wildlife trade monitoring network.

“This analysis confirms the worrying scale of illegal killing of snow leopards. It’s an urgent wake-up call,” said James Compton, senior programme director with Traffic.

The solitary, elusive and fantastically-camouflaged snow leopard, each with its fur uniquely patterned by dark rosettes and spots, is found across 12 countries that sweep around the Himalayan and Tibetan plateaus.

These include China, Mongolia, Pakistan, India and Tajikistan – which together account for more than 90 per cent of known poaching – as well as Kazakhstan, Russia, Nepal and Bhutan, where the deaths are more frequently due to retaliation.

Top of the chain

Snow leopards have traditionally performed a valuable role at the top of the food chain, regulating the number of animals lower down. However, a combination of hunting, habitat loss and competition from increasing livestock herds has reduced the presence of their natural prey, such as the Asiatic ibex, a large type of wild goat and the argali, a form of wild sheep.

This has forced them to rely on livestock such as domesticated sheep and cattle – prompting the retaliatory killings.

Although these retaliatory killings are not primarily motivated by profit, more than half resulted in “opportunistic attempts to sell” – often over the internet, the report found.

“This snow leopard crime database is a critical resource for everyone involved in efforts to reduce poaching and illegal trade. But we need to expand efforts to monitor activity on the internet and social media as snow leopard traffickers may be moving online to try to evade law enforcement,” said Kristin Nowell, lead author of the report.

Another good way to reduce leopard deaths would be to protect livestock better, the report added.

The Snow leopard:

Normally live at altitudes between 1,000 and 5,400 metres above sea level.

Found in 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Can kill animals three times their weight

Insulated by thick hair, and their wide, fur-covered feet act as natural snowshoes.

Have powerful legs and are tremendous leapers, able to jump as far as 50 feet (15 metres).

Use their long tails for balance and as blankets to cover sensitive body parts against the severe mountain chill.