Common Name: Snow Leopard
Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
At the zoo: Mom Batu (15y) and her two sons Bodhi (4y) and Kyanada (4y). You'll find them in the Cat Complex toward the centre of the zoo.
Habitat:
Snow Leopards are found throughout the high mountain ranges of central Asia.
Diet:
Carnivorous: medium-sized ungulates like blue sheep, ibex, and markhor, as well as small mammals and birds.
Life Expectancy: 15 years
Biology:
Snow leopards are large felines with a thick, dense coat that can range from light to dark grey, and creamy yellow, with dark spots and rosettes. They have extras large paws and a long densely-furred tail. They are 20-75 kilograms and 1-1.3 metres long.
Snow leopards are widely, but sporadically, distributed throughout the high mountain ranges of central Asia. They prefer high altitude, steep, rocky terrain, but will migrate to lower elevations in the winter following their preferred prey: blue sheep. They like to ambush their prey from above and can take down an animal 4 times their weight, sometimes in a perilous chase down a cliff face.
Snow leopards are at risk due to a combination of poaching, over-hunting of their prey, habitat loss, and climate change. Visit the Snow Leopard Network for more information.
Fun Fact:
Snow leopards use their large, fluffy tail for balance in the steep terrain they inhabit, as well as for warmth in the harsh winter weather.
More about snow leopards and the SSP:
The Greater Vancouver Zoo was overjoyed to receive 3 beautiful snow leopards at the end of 2021. The new GVZoo family unit is comprised of mom Batu, and her sons, Bodhi and Ky. You’ll find them right in the center of the zoo, most likely in their sky-high chalet observing their new kingdom. These snow leopards are part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) which is an important international effort to aid species at risk to maintain genetically diverse and biologically sound populations. Animals in captivity play a vital role in supporting wild populations through programs like the SSP, Taxonomic Advisory Groups, and the Zoological Information Management System
Their conservation is a challenge – snow leopards don’t make it easy! Their secretive nature and low density populations combined with their inaccessible habitat, make assessing their numbers difficult. Improvements in camera-capture technology in the past decade have made a big difference. They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and need our help to restore their numbers. The Greater Vancouver Zoo is honored to assist in these conservation efforts by hosting these amazing ambassador animals for the SSP and educating as many people as we can about these remarkable creatures.
