Sunday October 11, 2009, 8:21 am
All I need to know is that people are still hunting them and killing them for their hides...There needs to be better protection laws for these beautiful elusive creatures...

Big Gorilly Hugs

Sunday October 11, 2009, 10:50 am
I LOVE snow leopards. For my birthday I got two, my husband adopted me one and some friends adopted me one. The 'adoption' just helps preserve habitat, provide protection, etc. but I'm hoping the 3 snow leopards in my family are reproducing and are strong and healthy.
From the article -
We first wrote about snow leopards when we found they were being bred in captivity in a zoo in Wales and that this was part of a much wider breeding programme across the globe. Without this there is a genuine fear they may become extinct.

It's estimated there are 3,500 left in the world and a recent survey in Nepal revealed the numbers have dropped to 300 - 400 in the area; a fall of 25% on the previous year. The animals live in the mountains of Central Asia and Russia.

They have evolved to be able to cope with the cold, snowy conditions with thick fur, a stocky body, wide feet and small ears. They also have a long tail, the same size as the rest of their body, that helps with balance as they walk over snow; they also wrap it round themselves like a blanket when asleep.
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YOU can see more about snow leopoards at two Great sites: http://www.snowleopard.org/ AND http://www.snowleopardnetwork.org/Links.htm . And BOTH these organizations work with the local populations to help protect the big cats and protect livestock and provide alternatives for locals. You can adopt snow leopards at http://www.snowleopard.org/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19.

You can adopt them at the World Wildlife Fund and at Defenders of Wildlife too. You can also adopt TIGERS there!! Thanks Cher!

Sunday October 11, 2009, 11:05 am
Thanks Cher! Can't send a green star to you or JennyLynn!

Gotta get back to see the video, these special creatures are hunted down for their beautiful fur, they are a magical creature and usually hide from people, thus they are rarely seen.

Loved this article -- more, more!!!

Sunday October 11, 2009, 6:03 pm
they really are a beautiful sight. seen nature shows on them. easy to see why jennylynn loves them. would be hard not to..seems so many animals are under stress and duress lately, with # dwindling shame shame.. very disheartening sometimes. so sad. thanks for article

Monday October 12, 2009, 2:22 am
they are so beautiful no wonder they hide they need their coats