Snow+Leopard+Period+5

The Snow Leopard


To see our Google Earth Tour about Snow Leopards... go here...

[|Snow Leopard5.kmz]


 * Group Members: Laura Carr and Samantha Dietz**

-we will communicate with one another in order to get our work done and not delete each others work -we'll divide up information and copy what we got to our partner -we will come up with ideas that we both will be okay with -WE WILL make a great team! :)
 * How Will We Work Together:**


 * Research:**

Questions:

__1. Where does your animal live, and what are its characteristics?__

Locate your animal’s habitat (Where does it live? Does it migrate?)

- This animal lives in Forests and mountains of central Asia - The Snow Leopard can be found in Afganistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Monglolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan - China has 60% of the snow leopard population -it lives from western Mongolia down to the Himalayas and eastward -lives mainly north of the Himalayan range, but many people associate it with these mountains. -they are often found 3,000 to 5,400 meters above sea level.

Include all subspecies or varieties of your animal. -Sri Lanka Leopard -North Chinese Leopard -Arabian Leopard -Amur Leopard -Persian Leopard -Zanzibar Leopard (extinct) -Caucasian Leopard (extinct)

Identify at least 10 characteristics that will give an in-depth, accurate description of your animal

- Thick long Furry Tails - They have thick fur helps them stay warm in their freezing enviorment. Their fur is white, yellowish, or smokygray in color. It is covered with dark-gray or black spots Their spots help camoflage them in their enviormnet - They have large paws To help them walk in their snowy environment - An adult snow leopard can weigh between 77 and 121 lbs. - Male snow leopards are generally 30% bigger than female snow leopards. - They have short forelimbs and their long hind limbs give this large cat the agility to climb in its steep and rugged environment. - Powerful lungs and large chest help these cats breathe in enough of the thin mountain air. - They have an enlarged nose to help them warm the cold air before it reaches their lungs. - These cats are elusive and shy creatures. - Most active at dawn and dusk - Snow leopards are not aggressive towards humans. - They mostly live alone. - The sounds that that they make sound a lot like other large cats These sounds include mew, hiss, growl, moan, yowl, purr, and a non- aggressive puffing sound

__2. Where and why is your animal endangered?__

Locate where it is endangered (might not be endangered in all its habitats) -Mongolia -These cats are endangered in pretty much all their habitats. However, recently their population has declined greatly in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Identify the factors, environmental and/or anthropogenic (caused by man) that cause it to be endangered -hunters have been killing them for their fur over the years -conflict with herders -habitat is diminishing -lack of awareness, policy, and implementation -the reduction of on of their natural prey, wild sheep.

Provide statistics and other facts related to its endangerment

-hunters have been killing them for their fur -conflict with herders: legal and illegal meat hunting is causing snow leopards to kill domestic livestock when their prey is scarce. -habitat is being diminished -humans have a lack of awarness, policy, and implementation -the reduction of their natural prey -legal and illegal hunting for meat is **lessening** prey populations

__2. Where is your animal in captivity and/or conserved?__

Locate at least two zoos and/or conservation centers where the animal is held. 1. Bronx Zoo 2. Knoxville Zoo

__3. What is being done to restore your animal’s populations? Where is it being done?__

Locate where research is done on your animal and where efforts are underway to conserve its population (Note: It may be that this is done at the same location(s) you identified in #3)

-Snow Leopard Trust Project Sites in Mongolia: they have enterprises sign an agreement promising not to kill snow leopards. also, the economic benefits of the program cause local people to become less likely to feel the need for poaching in order to survive.

A treaty called CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) made it illegal to hunt snow leopards in specific countries. However, the countries Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan chose not to become a party to the treaty.

1. Bronx Zoo - 90 snow leopards have been raised here. 2. The Snow Leopard Trust- an organization dedicated to saving the snow leopard.

the Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects species that are endangered or being threatened. they protect the species from hunting, collecting, and other activites that could harm the species or their habitats.

The IUCN (The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) have lists that have thousands of species, both animal and plant, that are endangered or threatened.

Presently all snow leopard range states, except those two, are a part of this treaty.

-Snow Leopard Trust Project Sites in Mongolia -WFF Identify the experts, leaders, and/or groups guiding the conservation
 * WFF***
 * Snow Leopard Trust** *

Outline any research and efforts to conserve the population

-ways you can help: learn about snow leopards, educate other people, organize fundraisers, adopt a snow leopard, sell products from snow leopard countries, become a member of Snow Leopard Trust, and protect your local environment.

- The Snow leopard Trust Is currently leading an effort to complete and implement the rest of a Snow Leopard protection plan within India.


 * Photos**



Photo by Captain Chickenpants(User name on Flickr)



Photo by emeraldgreen (Username on Flickr)




 * Videos

media type="youtube" key="N9mg7MrEKB4&hl=en" height="355" width="425" Video:[|snowleopardtrust] (uploaded from youtube)

media type="youtube" key="xrF7wL67G80&hl=en" height="355" width="425"Video from: [|vitalioness14] (YouTube username)

Bibliography (All Resources Used)

Books**

Gamble, Cyndi. __Leopards Natural History and Conservation__. Stillwater: Voyageur P, 2004. Burton, John A. __THE ATLAS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES SECOND EDITION__. 2nd ed. New York : Macmillan Library Reference, 1998 Websites

Cassie. "Leopards!" __Think Quest__. 20 Apr. 2008 <[|http://library.thinkquest.org/J001797/leofo.html>. "Cat Facts." __Snow Leopard Trust__. 21 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.snowleopard.org/>. Hemley, Ginette. "Learn More About: Help Lions, Snow Leopards, and More." __World Wildlife Fund__. 23 Apr. 2008 <[|http://wwf.worldwildlife.org>. "A Leopard of a Different Color." __Live Science__. 11 Dec. 2006. 24 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.livescience.com>. "Snow Leopard." __Knoxville__ __Zoo__. 24 Apr. 2008 [|http://www.knoxville-zoo.org.

"Protecting endangered species." __WORLD BOOK ONLINE REFERENCE CENTER__. 28 April 2008. 28 April 2008. < http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/article?id=ar180830&st=snow+leopard+conservation&sc=0#top > ~by the way: "Protecting endangered species" is under "Introduction" =Videos=

"Saving Snow Leopards for 25 Years - Www.Snowleopard.Org." __Youtube__. 6 Mar. 2007. 26 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.youtube.com>.]

"The Snow Leopard" __YouTube__. 4 Mar. 2007. 27 Apr. 2008. < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrF7wL67G80 >

Pictures
Captain Chickenpants. "Snow Leopard." __Flickr__. 27 Aug. 2007. 26 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.flickr.com>.]

Emeraldgreen. "Snow Leopard." __Flickr__. 5 Mar. 2007. 26 Apr. 2008 <[|http://www.flickr.com>.]

Ginger Me. "Snow Leopard". __Flickr__. 9 Mar. 2007. 27 Apr. 2008 < http://flickr.com/photos/rednut/415619675/ >

[|**ShotsAtRAndom**]. "Snow Leopard takes a drink". 11 September 2007. 27 Apr. 2008 < http://flickr.com/photos/capturedlight/1361629245/ >