Snow Leopard. Can You Spot the Snow Leopards in These Photos? Bet you can’t find the big cat perfectly camouflaged in these photos!
Braving temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit for two weeks in February, Irish wildlife photographer David “Baz” Jenkins captured these incredible shots of wild snow leopards in the Indian Himalayas. These rare images in the collection above reveal just why the elusive cat is so hard to spot in the wild. A snow leopard is seen camouflaged against a mountain near the Indian Himalayas.
The snow leopard, native to the mountainous areas of Southern and Central Asia, is mostly active at dusk and dawn, according to the WildCat Conservation Society. That, along with its thick, grayish-white coat, helps it to hide from its prey. Snow Leopard. Endangered Snow Leopards Caught on Camera in Afghanistan. A surprisingly healthy population of rare snow leopards has been caught on camera in the wilds of Afghanistan.
Researchers spotted 30 snow leopards in 16 different locations by placing camera traps in the mountains of northeastern Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor. Snow leopards are threatened by poaching for their fur, the illegal pet trade and shepherds, but researchers with the Wildlife Conservation Society said they were pleasantly surprised by the number of cats they found. “This is a wonderful discovery – it shows that there is real hope for snow leopards in Afghanistan,” said Peter Zahler, Deputy Director for Asia Programs, in a press release. “Now our goal is to ensure that these magnificent animals have a secure future as a key part of Afghanistan’s natural heritage.” Conservationists estimate between 4,500 and 7,500 wild snow leopards still live in the remote mountains of Central Asia. Snow Leopard Cub.