Every year on October 23, the world celebrates International Snow Leopard Day, a day dedicated to the protection of this rare and mysterious predator.
The snow leopard is a member of the cat family that lives in the high mountains of Central and Central Asia. It is the only modern predator of the cat family that permanently lives in the harsh conditions of the cold climate of the high mountains. Due to its ability to adapt to extreme environments, it is often called the “ghost of the mountains” because it is rarely seen by humans.
Currently, the population numbers between 4,000 and 7,500 individuals in the wild in 12 countries, including China, India, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan. The main threats to its survival are habitat loss, poaching, and the decline in the number of wild animals that snow leopards prey on.
International Snow Leopard Day aims to raise awareness about the protection of this rare species, remind people of the importance of preserving the biodiversity of mountain ecosystems, and support measures to protect the natural environment of these majestic predators.
