Conservation Status:
Snow Leopards have been categorized as an Endangered Species by the World
Conservation Union since 1972. They are also protected by Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which under appendix I
ban them from being internationally traded. They are also listed as Endangered in the
1996 Red List of Threatened Animals.
Conservation Issues:
Despite being protected, the many threats that Snow Leopards (Uncia, uncia) face in the
wild are without a doubt bringing this elegant species to the brink of extinction. The
depletion of the Snow Leopards natural prey is due to humans hunting wild mountain
sheep and goats for trophies and or food. To make up for the lack of prey Snow Leopards
then turn to hunting the villager’s livestock. Then this causes the herders to retaliate by
either trapping, poisoning or shooting the snow leopards.
Snow Leopards unfortunately also fall victim to poaching. Snow Leopards are hunted for
their bones, pelts and other body parts for the fur trade. Their pelts are sought after as
luxuries or symbols of prestige. The bones are used in traditional Asian medicine to treat
rheumatic disease and aching joints and muscles. Park management and law enforcement
officers that are there to help conserve these animals and the protected area often lack the
training and are so poorly funded that poaching by staff is also becoming a common
problem.
wild population are difficult to accumulate because of the isolation of the snow
leopard’s range but most scientists agree that 5,000 to 7,000 animals remain in the
wild.
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The largest populations are in China, which compromises about 60 percent
of the potential Large areas of the world's grasslands have been destroyed
for vegetation and also for agricultural uses. Crops have replaced much
of the prairie land in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and India.

Nomadic herding of sheep, cattle, and goats may also cause large
destruction. This is an ever-increasing process in which the land is
harmed. Eventually, the snow leopard is affected by this misfortune.
l range There are over 600 snow leopards in zoos worldwide.
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