Snow Leopards Discovered in Afghanistan
Posted by: Loren Coleman on July 14th, 2011
In a new paper, Anthony Simms, Zalmai Moheb, Salahudin, Hussain Ali, Inayat Ali, Timothy Wood, in “Saving threatened species in Afghanistan: snow leopards in the Wakhan Corridor,” International Journal of Environmental Studies, 2011; 68 (3): 299, the authors document the discovery of “a surprisingly healthy population” of rare snow leopards living in the mountainous reaches of northeastern Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor.
“This is a wonderful discovery — it shows that there is real hope for snow leopards in Afghanistan,” said Peter Zahler, WCS Deputy Director for Asia Programs. “Now our goal is to ensure that these magnificent animals have a secure future as a key part of Afghanistan’s natural heritage.”
This is a snow leopard captured by remote camera in Afghanistan. A team of researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society have discovered a population of these elusive big cats. (Credit: Wildlife Conservation Society; more.)
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How exciting! Beautiful animal!
This is AWESOME… so great to see!
These animals are rare and threatened. It is surprising news that there is a HEALTHY (breeding) population in the area of the Wahkan Corridor. Especially when you consider how torn apart that country has been for the past 30+ years. And the poaching of such a rare animal would be extremely profitable.
Here’s to hoping they can preserve and protect the ones that are left.