Latest news with #snowleopard
The Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
Rare species return to Qilian Mountains
The Qilian Mountains in Northwest China have come nearly full circle from four decades ago when the flora and fauna were threatened by deforestation, grazing and poaching. The 620-mile mountain range separating Qinghai and Gansu provinces is today hailed as an oasis surrounded by desert. The towering peaks of the Qilian Mountains capture warm, moist air from the southeast, creating abundant precipitation. This climate and the various ecological environments in the area have fostered diverse habitats for numerous wildlife species, including snow leopards, wild yaks and black-necked cranes. 'We came across two snow leopards during a patrol,' recalled Lang Wenrui, deputy director of the Sunan branch of the Zhangye ecology and environment bureau, which administers part of the mountain range. 'They were drinking by a water source, only about 16 feet away from us.' Lang, a photography enthusiast, spends most of his year patrolling the Qilian Mountains. 'I've been searching for snow leopards for 15 years during patrols,' he said. 'In the first 10 years, I didn't see a single one, but in the past five years, I've encountered over a dozen.' The snow leopard population in the Qilian Mountains has been rapidly recovering, an epitome of the results of continuous conservation efforts. 'Sightings of snow leopards in the wild are more frequent, and the range within which these leopards make their presence known is steadily expanding,' said Pei Wen, director of the management centre of Gansu's Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve. The number of snow leopards in Gansu's Qilian Mountain and Yanchiwan national nature reserves has reached approximately 700, according to Ma Duifang, head of the wildlife management department at the Zhangye branch of the Gansu Qilian Mountain National Park Administration. Restoring the snow leopard population is crucial, Ma said. 'Snow leopards are a flagship and umbrella species in the Qilian Mountains, sitting at the top of the ecosystem's food chain. They are closely linked to many other wildlife species in the region,' he said. 'For example, the bearded vulture, which is not a strong hunter, relies on the carcasses of prey caught by snow leopards as a vital food source. Meanwhile, the populations of blue sheep, red deer and musk deer — primary prey for snow leopards — are kept in check by their predation.' He said snow leopards are like 'the thermometer of the alpine ecosystem'. 'When their population structure and numbers are balanced, it signals a healthy ecosystem. Conversely, if their numbers are declining or they're on the brink of extinction, it suggests there are broader issues with the environment,' he said. In 2017, the Qilian Mountains were designated as a pilot national park, covering 19,380 square miles. The region was divided into core protection and general control zones, and residents in the core protection zone were encouraged to participate in ecological migration. 'The aim is to preserve a complete natural ecosystem for future generations,' said Guo Shengxiang, deputy director of the Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve's management centre. The government provided the migrants homes and subsidies to offset grazing bans, and offered them positions as forest rangers or alternative livelihood training. 'In the Gansu section of Qilian Mountain National Park, we've employed 2,425 forest rangers, most of whom are local migrants,' Guo said. Ma Jiancheng, head of the Xiangyangtai resource management centre of Sidalong station, which is part of the Qilian Mountain reserve, has been working as a forest ranger for 26 years. Each month, he and his colleagues spend at least 20 days patrolling deep in the mountains at altitudes above 9,840 feet. Now, their work is empowered by technology, as each ranger is equipped with a programme on their phones to record their patrol routes. If they spot wildlife or signs of human activity, they immediately take photos and upload them to the programme. 'Moreover, the rangers regularly conduct aerial patrols using drones, and video monitoring towers and infrared cameras have been set up to better monitor wildlife movements, human activities and fire warnings,' Ma Jiancheng said. 'The results of the environmental and ecological protection efforts over the years have been very evident. Nowadays, we often see wildlife such as musk deer, red deer, blue sheep, blue eared pheasants, golden eagles and even snow leopards during patrol,' he added. Data from the Qilian Mountain reserve's management centre shows that the reserve is now home to 360 species of wildlife, including 24 species under national first-class protection.
BBC News
07-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
CCTV 'pivotal' in raising endangered snow leopard
The Big Cat Sanctuary An animal sanctuary has said that CCTV cameras are "absolutely pivotal" to their work as animal conservationists. The Big Cat Sanctuary, in Smarden, Kent, is dedicated to the conservation and rescue of cats. The sanctuary welcomed its latest arrival of an endangered snow leopard cub, nicknamed 'Little Lady', on 10 May. Curator Briony Smith told the BBC that CCTV "allows us to monitor the mothers, monitor the cubs, but also give them a bit of distance and not get too involved". Ms Smith acknowledged that a new cub was "just so cute" but explained that it was important people didn't lose sight of the work that they do. 'Little Lady's' mother, Laila, has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's wider European breeding programme. As well as monitoring new cubs through cameras, keepers and trainers at the sanctuary work closely with the cats to build the trust necessary for medical procedures. Laila's primary trainer Simon Jackaman has worked with her for seven years and even built an ultrasound table for the snow leopard. Mr Jackaman said he completed "mock scans" with Laila leading up to the pregnancy to get her used to human contact. Jack Valpy/ BBC Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. The sanctuary is hoping that the new cub will be out in its enclosure in August, following essential vaccinations. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Smarden
BBC News
06-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Kent's rare snow leopard cub dies after just one month
An animal sanctuary has announced that its rare snow leopard cub, born just last month, has cub, nicknamed Little Lady, was born to mother Laila at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, on 10 May after months of dedicated work by it has been confirmed that Little Lady died late on Wednesday night, though her cause of death is not yet known."We are all devastated by this news," said Cam Whitnall, wildlife expert, conservationist and managing director of the sanctuary. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the Lady was just the second cub to be born at the sanctuary. The first was her sister, Zaya, in Lady's birth followed months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for mother Laila to voluntarily participate in ground-breaking ultrasound sessions."While deeply saddened by this loss, our commitment to snow leopard conservation and the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme remains as strong as ever," said Mr Whitnall."Every life is precious and this loss, though profoundly felt, reinforces the vital importance of our work to protect these magnificent and vulnerable big cats."The sanctuary said it remains committed to helping maintain a genetically healthy captive population to provide "a critical safety net for the future of this elusive big cat"."These moments are never easy, but they reflect just how important our work is," Mr Whitnall added.
BBC News
05-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
CCTV 'absolutely pivotal' at Smarden's Big Cat Sanctuary
An animal sanctuary has said that CCTV cameras are "absolutely pivotal" to their work as animal conservationists. The Big Cat Sanctuary, in Smarden, Kent, is dedicated to the conservation and rescue of cats. The sanctuary welcomed its latest arrival of an endangered snow leopard cub, nicknamed 'Little Lady', on 10 May. Curator Briony Smith told the BBC that CCTV "allows us to monitor the mothers, monitor the cubs, but also give them a bit of distance and not get too involved". Ms Smith acknowledged that a new cub was "just so cute" but explained that it was important people didn't lose sight of the work that they do. 'Little Lady's' mother, Laila, has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's wider European breeding well as monitoring new cubs through cameras, keepers and trainers at the sanctuary work closely with the cats to build the trust necessary for medical primary trainer Simon Jackaman has worked with her for seven years and even built an ultrasound table for the snow leopard. Mr Jackaman said he completed "mock scans" with Laila leading up to the pregnancy to get her used to human contact. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the sanctuary is hoping that the new cub will be out in its enclosure in August, following essential vaccinations.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Spots of joy: Snow leopard cub born at UK Sanctuary
This tiny ball of fur, nicknamed Little Lady, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent on 10 May. The snow leopard cub was born to mother Laila who is part of the sanctuary's breeding weighed just 630g when she had her first health check at five days old. Snow leopards are a vulnerable species Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. There are an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the change is having an impact on them, with a predicted loss of 30% of their habitat in the next 50 to 100 are also threatened by poachers who hunt them for the illegal wildlife trade. Conservationists say that breeding programmes are really important for the future of the species. Little Lady was born to Laila, who has lived at the sanctuary for a long time. This is her fourth litter as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. She has previously had two male cubs, Koshi and Khumbu, in 2019 and another male cub, Shen, in 2021. Laila then became a mother to twins, Attan and Zaya (one male, one female), in 2023. The sanctuary are also praising Laila's primary trainer Simon Jackaman for the birth of Little say that the trust he built with her meant she let the vet do the ultrasound sessions voluntarily. Mr Jackaman said: "Snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Laila amazed the sanctuary staff with her "calm nature" during the process."Little Lady is now doing really well under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team.
