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Freeman, H.E.; Hutchins, M.
Captive Management of Snow leopard cubs: An overview
1980  Der Zoologische Garten (50): 377-392

The Snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is considered highly endangered (SIMON 1906). In 1947, there were approximately 123 snow leopards housed in 47 zoos worldwide ( Durlaix Hall 1975). Accurate appraisals of the number of free-living animals are not available; however, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has listed 400 ñ 200 as a rough estimate of the surviving population (SIMON 1966). Although the snow leopard is now protected throughout most of its range, a recent survey (SCHALLEY 1975) suggests that their numbers continue to decline at an alarming rate. The probable reasons for this decline include poaching, a low fecundity and the scarcity of natural prey due to human overkill. The poor status of free-living snow leopards, combined with the possibility of captive propagation and reintroduction into the wild, favors the development of successful breeding programs. Indeed, if numbers of zoos maintain a viable breeding population. Little information exists on the behavior, physiology and captive management of snow leopards. One major problem is lack of a detailed field study; however, even if the density of wild snow leopards were higher, they would still be extremely difficult to observe due to rugged and often impassable terrain in which they live. Therefore, by necessity, much of our knowledge concerning snow leopard biology will have to originate from captive research programs.

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