What has caused their population to become dangerously low?
Reason They're Endangered
Why Snow Leopards Are Endangered:
Human activities have caused Snow Leopards to become endangered. These activities include poaching, mining, and retribution killing. Poachers illegally hunt Snow Leopards for their valuable fur. Snow Leopards' bones are also used in traditional Asian medicine. Chemicals used in mining can be toxic to Snow Leopards. Explosions destroy their natural habitat and the organisms they feed on. Mining in an area makes it almost impossible to continue to support a Snow Leopard. Retribution killings occur when sheep herders in rural areas have livestock killed and eaten by Snow Leopards. These shepherds have no choice but to hunt the Snow Leopard down. This is because they are very poor, and depend greatly on their animals for food, clothing, and money. The loss of even a single sheep could leave a shepherd and his family fighting for survival.
The Bright Side: Although Snow Leopards are still endangered, many conservation efforts are going on right now to save these majestic cats. Nonprofit organizations like World Wildlife Fund and Snow Leopard Trust are putting everything they can into saving Snow Leopards. However, you can help too! Both of these organizations except donations large and small. They even have programs where you can "adopt" a Snow Leopard. You cannot keep it, but you are paying for that animal to live another day. Another way to help is to learn about Snow Leopards and spread the word. Everyone needs to do their part in making sure these wonderful creatures are around for generations to come.