The Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) recently shared an important article on their blog. The United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has joined the fight against snow leopard poaching.
Poaching is a significant problem for snow leopards (Panthera uncia). The SLT’s article states that at least four snow leopards each week, and possibly one per day, are poached. Unfortunately, this is likely to be an underestimate.
Snow leopard fur and body parts are sought after in the illegal wildlife trade. It is believed that like jaguars, their bones are being used as tiger substitutes for traditional Asian medicine. Indeed, snow leopard DNA has been found in traditional ‘medicine’ products.
To combat this growing threat, conservationists need better and more accessible information about snow leopard poaching and illegal trading. To this end, the USFWS, SLT, and Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) have teamed up to create a new anti-poaching database.
This database will be a crucial tool for protecting snow leopards. It will unite disparate bits of information, track trends in snow leopard poaching and illegal trading, and make it easier for stakeholders to share their knowledge with each other. The result will be more targeted, strategic efforts to combat poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.
For my part, I am thrilled to see all of these agencies working together. Conservation-related news involving the US has been largely negative lately, so I am happy to see the USFWS contributing to this vital project.
Be sure to check out the original article for more information!
Click Here for the Original Article from the Snow Leopard Trust
The Jaguar 
So glad that it is happening. Hope such measures are taken all over the world.
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So do I!
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That is wonderful news, at least somebody somewhere is doing something about it. Now let’s hope that the rest of the world joins in the fight to curb wildlife poaching.
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Lots of people are working to curb poaching. The most important thing to do, however, is to convince people to stop buying products made from poached wildlife. Poaching will only end when the demand does.
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Definitely that kind of an approach will work, once there is no demand for it, the supply will die down
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Yea, but convincing people to stop buying these products isn’t easy. Progress is being made, however.
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It’s a one step at a time process
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Awesome post 🙂.
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Thank you!
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Finally, an acknowledgement that something needs to be done – excellent news.
Ps, by the way, not obligated to take part, but should you so wish to Josh :)
https://aguycalledbloke.blog/2018/06/18/3-2-1-quote-me-30/
Rory
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Haha, thanks Rory! I’ll definitely do this, but probably not for a few days.
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Hey Josh, l have nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger award :)
https://aguycalledbloke.blog/2018/06/18/the-sunshine-blogger-award-nomination-2018-3/
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Thanks Rory! I’ll check it out as soon as I’m able (probably tomorrow morning). Also, I’m working on another award post that you nominated me for almost a month ago. It’s been a MUCH busier summer than I expected, but a good one.
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Take your time Josh there is absolutely no rush :)
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I wonder if all people buying the products are aware that snow leopards were killed in the process? I’m glad that the internet is an asset in solving the problem though. It sounds like an interesting project with a huge potential to track poaching.
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I’m not sure how much the consumers ultimately know; although as I understand it they think they’re buying products made from tigers, which are even closer to extinction than snow leopards.
I do hope this project works out! The internet can both help and harm wildlife conservation.
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