Snow leopard Snow leopards are critically endangered as their natural prey has declined
The global demand for cashmere is threatening endangered snow leopards, according to a new report.
Domestic cashmere goats in parts of Central Asia have almost tripled in the last 20 years to fuel cashmere demand.
The goats are encroaching on the natural habitats of the snow leopard and their natural prey.
The authors of the paper, published in Conservation Biology, say that other endangered animals are also at risk.
These include herbivores which compete for the same resources as the goats, such as the antelope Saiga tatarica, the Tibetan chiru (Pantholops hodgsonii) and the Himalayan bharal (Pseudois nayaur) also known as the blue sheep.
As the snow leopards' habitats converge with domestic goats, the decline wild prey can increasingly lead the leopards to hunt the goats.
Snow leopards are exceptional athletes capable of making huge leaps over ravines
Bodies highly adapted to their harsh, mountainous environment with enlarged nasal cavities which heat inhaled cold air
Are critically endangered since their fur was once highly prized and their natural prey has declined
Can bring down prey three times their own size, but on average only kill one large animal twice a month
Consequently there has now been an observed increase in "retaliatory killings" of snow leopards by humans protecting their herds, report the authors.
Favorite
Recent comments