The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is now the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic in Central Asia.
Snow leopard: facts
- Snow leopard’s hind legs give the snow leopard the ability to leap six times the length of its body.
- Snow leopards are shy, elusive cats known for their solitary nature.
- These cats are most active at dawn and dusk, which is called a “crepuscular activity pattern” by scientists.
- Unlike other big cats, snow leopards can’t roar.
- Snow leopard conservation received a boost a decade ago with the Bishkek Declaration on Snow Leopard Protection being unanimously adopted at the World Snow Leopard Conservation Forum in 2013.
- World Snow Leopard Day is celebrated on 23 October.
- The GSLEP was initiated with the support of representatives from 12 snow leopard range countries (which includes India) and the international environmental community.
- Inner Asia region is home to most of the snow leopards. Inner Asia refers to the northern and landlocked regions spanning North, Central and East Asia. It includes parts of western and northeast China. nner Asia comprises of mountain ranges such as the Altai, Tian Shan, Nan Shan, Kunlun Shan, Pamir, Karakorum, Hindu Kush, and of course, the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas.
