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Photography / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Leopard
Size 1280 x 978
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A young male snow leopard (Panthera unica) named Balek, tracks movement of an unknown creature in the distance at Jungle Cat World Zoo. While initially quite nervous - previously spending most of his time hiding in his den - he is now quite confident and spends much of his time snuggling with Kush, with whom he shares his enclosure.
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Snow leopards are found in mountainous central Asia, also called "the roof of the world". They are acclimated for some of the harshest terrain and climate in the world and are extremely elusive. Sadly, snow leopards are not elusive enough to escape the hand of man. They are an endangered species and there may be as few as 3,000 left in the wild with populations decreasing. Individuals are often the victims of revenge killing after taking village livestock, poaching for their bones and skin, prey depletion and habitat loss.
Please visit SnowLeopard.org for more information on snow leopards and how you can help.
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Snow leopards are found in mountainous central Asia, also called "the roof of the world". They are acclimated for some of the harshest terrain and climate in the world and are extremely elusive. Sadly, snow leopards are not elusive enough to escape the hand of man. They are an endangered species and there may be as few as 3,000 left in the wild with populations decreasing. Individuals are often the victims of revenge killing after taking village livestock, poaching for their bones and skin, prey depletion and habitat loss.
Please visit SnowLeopard.org for more information on snow leopards and how you can help.
Category Photography / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Leopard
Size 1280 x 978px
File Size 310.1 kB
Sadly, one of the major factors in their decline is the Chinese demand for male parts used as an aphrodisiac. The things people do never cease to demoralize. Yet you have managed to bring a smile with this photo. Details on your camera? I'd love to have something better than my 10+ year old digi cam.
This one was only a Sony DSC-H7, which is quite old and not an SLR. I think there are a lot of models on the market that allow for reasonable photos on a technical level. The most important thing is how you use it.
Don't lose hope. Things are changing, but it's important that people who care speak up. Whenever there is an opportunity to add your voice, do it. They can't speak for themselves.
Don't lose hope. Things are changing, but it's important that people who care speak up. Whenever there is an opportunity to add your voice, do it. They can't speak for themselves.
Mine is Sony, too, but so old I don't even remember what the model is. It certainly doesn't take photos a fifth as good as what yours does. I'd love DSLR, but...money. At this point my cell takes better pictures than the old Sony I have.
I don't. I especially am encouraged by the Snow Leopard Trust and their work to involve the people in the nations where snow leopards still exist in the conservation process. They educate them, help them find alternatives to killing the cats when they become a threat to their livelihoods, often their livestock, and have created means of making money through the sale of goods they produce. It's really making a difference, all be it slow. It's something at least.
The thing about snow leopards is that they're not like any other cat, big or small. They exist almost as an anomaly. Their temperament is downright docile, though inquisitive, laid back, yet intense, thoughtful on a level beyond anything I've seen in any other creature. When their eyes catch yours, it's like you're looking into the mysteries and magic of the universe. Something so old and so deep is behind those eyes. And yet, they're still silly cats. They do crazy things. They act like felines. Of course, they aren't at all what they are meant to be when in captivity. Thousands of square miles to roam in the wild vs a few square feet in an enclosure. It'd be like putting a human in solitary confinement and expecting them to act normal. Oh, put another one of the opposite sex in there. They'll be fine. Breed now, y'all. Give us some babies. O.o No wonder captive snow leopard breeding is so difficult. It goes against everything of their natural nature. Alas, I could speak on the subject for hours.
One final note, last year there was an expedition where someone like me, a normal nobody, could go on a quest to see snow leopards in the wilds of Mongolia. The cost wasn't small, as you can imagine, and being that I am not financially well endowed, I had to opt out of going. Yet a year later I still think about it and wonder if I should have sold off everything I owned for the singular chance. It's not often you have even the slightest hope of doing something like that. Not for someone who lives behind a desk in a cubicle environment. I hate that though. I despise being penned up.
I don't. I especially am encouraged by the Snow Leopard Trust and their work to involve the people in the nations where snow leopards still exist in the conservation process. They educate them, help them find alternatives to killing the cats when they become a threat to their livelihoods, often their livestock, and have created means of making money through the sale of goods they produce. It's really making a difference, all be it slow. It's something at least.
The thing about snow leopards is that they're not like any other cat, big or small. They exist almost as an anomaly. Their temperament is downright docile, though inquisitive, laid back, yet intense, thoughtful on a level beyond anything I've seen in any other creature. When their eyes catch yours, it's like you're looking into the mysteries and magic of the universe. Something so old and so deep is behind those eyes. And yet, they're still silly cats. They do crazy things. They act like felines. Of course, they aren't at all what they are meant to be when in captivity. Thousands of square miles to roam in the wild vs a few square feet in an enclosure. It'd be like putting a human in solitary confinement and expecting them to act normal. Oh, put another one of the opposite sex in there. They'll be fine. Breed now, y'all. Give us some babies. O.o No wonder captive snow leopard breeding is so difficult. It goes against everything of their natural nature. Alas, I could speak on the subject for hours.
One final note, last year there was an expedition where someone like me, a normal nobody, could go on a quest to see snow leopards in the wilds of Mongolia. The cost wasn't small, as you can imagine, and being that I am not financially well endowed, I had to opt out of going. Yet a year later I still think about it and wonder if I should have sold off everything I owned for the singular chance. It's not often you have even the slightest hope of doing something like that. Not for someone who lives behind a desk in a cubicle environment. I hate that though. I despise being penned up.
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