Drove to the Sacramento Zoo yesterday because I heard there was a new baby Leopard and I can't resist taking photos of a new baby anything! And here he is! He was born in May 6th but was only allowed out recently because of some genetic deformities in his back legs. So he's been in physical therapy working to strengthen his back legs. I was so lucky to be there in the morning just as they were letting him out to roam around. It was very difficult to get a good photo through the fence as you all know what I'm talking about. But he explored his surroundings and pounced around on imaginary dangers like any kitten would.
He also had a twin but the poor little thing didn't survive. There are only an estimated 3500 - 7000 snow leopards left in the wild.
Their threats are climate change (which affects their habitat range and food), poachers, who sell their pelts for coats and their bones are used for Asian medicine.
"The farmers are taught how to secure their barns and livestock holding areas against snow leopards and reimbursement programs have been set up to give the farmer fair market value for animals they have lost in return for allowing the snow leopards to live." You can read more about them and other endangered species on defenders.org.
