Snow leopards aren’t as rare as we thought – but aren’t safe yet

[rangerrebew]

 

30 August 2017
Snow leopards aren’t as rare as we thought – but aren’t safe yet

 

By Adam Popescu

THE iconic snow leopard might no longer be classed as an endangered species, if some scientists have their way. That may sound like a conservation win, but others warn the move could backfire.

Since 1986, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has designated snow leopards as “endangered”. Now the IUCN is considering reclassifying them as “vulnerable”, meaning the risk of extinction is less urgent. The recommendation was written by Rodney Jackson of the Snow Leopard Conservancy and other experts.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2145724-snow-leopards-arent-as-rare-as-we-thought-but-arent-safe-yet/

[Gefn]

Kitty ping


(Or big kitty ping)


Kitty Ping
@Hopalong Ginsberg
@Suppressed
@To-Whose-Benefit?
@Applewood

@CatherineofAragon
@EC
@Cyber Liberty
@jmyrlefuller
@ConstitutionRose
@Victoria33
@Slip18
@berdie
@austingirl
@Freya

 

[ConstitutionRose]

The Chattanooga zoo has a snow leopard and a cloud leopard.  Beautiful animals.  They obviously do not like the summer heat.  It would be a shame if they were no more in the world.

[Sanguine]

The cats have become less picky about hunting livestock – perhaps because warming temperatures have disrupted their usual prey – so people are targeting them, and this feeds into the illegal wildlife trade.