I took this picture of an endangered Snow Leopard at the Akron Zoo in Ohio. I thought the smaller picture was funny of Abby’s face as it looks like the leopard is about to walk up to her and take a bite. She was a little weary as the cat stalked her from the other side of the glass.
The snow leopard has been categorized as an endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) since 1972 and is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES Appendix I), which makes trafficking live cats, fur or body parts illegal.
It has been estimated that there are about 3,500 to 7,000 left in the wild. There are about 600 – 700 in zoos around the world. There are many threats to this animal. Poaching is a major problem. Their fur is highly prized in the fur trade and their body parts are used in traditional Asian medicine.