Final article

Snow leopards are some of the most elusive animals on Earth, but recently researchers
have found that theres loads more of them than we thought. Theyre known as the ghost
of the mountain as their habitats are so vast we rarely see them. These big cats live in the
snowy mountains of central Asia, and their habitat is a whopping 1.8 million square
kilometres.

There are now thought to be around 4,000 snow leopards surviving in the wild, but sadly
research shows that for 10 years up to 400 snow leopards have been poached every year
for their beautiful coats. Snow leopards face a variety of threats. Humans are taking over
their habitat, and even eat some of the same prey as the leopards. Local livestock are
dying, often through disease, but the farmers blame these big cats and see them as pests.
Climate change is also making their snowy homes melt away.

Snow leopard researchers have a problem: their terrain is so remote and inhospitable, and
the animals are so good at hiding, its hard to count them accurately. But new technology
like camera traps and tracking collars gives us a much better idea. The good news is
theyre no longer classified as endangered for the first time in 45 years!

Animal charities are doing important conservation work to help snow leopards. This
includes educating local people, vaccinating farmers livestock and setting up boarder
patrols to stop illegal smuggling of fur and live animals. This work is essential for the future
of snow leopards. Although no longer endangered, they are classed as vulnerable which
means their numbers are still declining, but at a slower rate.

So if you want to get involved, why not adopt a snow leopard through a charity like the
WWF or go and see them at your local zoo?