SNOW LEOPARD

Panthera uncia IUCN status: Vulnerable There are only about 6,000 snow leopards left in the world across 12 countries. Found mainly in the steep and rocky mountain ranges of Central and South Asia (from Afghanistan, northern Pakistan to Southern Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and western China) at around 3,000 to 4,500 metres, snow leopards are killed for their fur and their bones, which are used in Chinese medicines. The loss of their natural habitats has also contributed to their declining numbers. An expert at navigating steep mountain terrain, the snow leopard or ounce (derived from “once”, the Old French name for the European lynx) is recognisable by its long tail and the large black spots on its almost-white coat.