Urge These Countries To Take Strong Action For Snow Leopards Before They Disappear

Snow leopards are an iconic species to the high mountains of Central Asia. However, there may only be as few as 4,000 of these magnificent creatures left in the wild. Their numbers are declining at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, retaliatory killings, and poaching.

On average one snow leopard is being killed every day by poachers or local communities trying to protect their livestock. There are also large parts of the cat's habitat at risk from unsustainable, poorly planned development and exploitation.

In 2013, leaders from all twelve snow leopard range countries have pledged to secure at least 20 snow leopard landscapes of Asia by the year 2020. But now, we need them to make significant progress. This August, these same countries are meeting in Kyrgyzstan for the International Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Forum.

We must tell them to take strong action to save snow leopards before it is too late. They must work to secure snow leopard landscapes with local community support and sustainable development, tackle illegal trade and ensure the survival of the snow leopards.

Sign the petition today and urge snow leopard country leaders to pledge concrete action when they meet this August for the International Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Forum.
To the leaders of the twelve countries,

I urge you to take strong action to protect the snow leopard. I request that your representatives pledge concrete action when they meet this August for the International Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Forum.

In 2013, you all came together for the first time and agreed on an ambitious and inspirational plan to secure 20 landscapes for snow leopards by 2020. Thank you for your leadership. You've made a promising start and I applaud you for taking these important first steps. But now it's time to make significant progress.

On average one snow leopard is being killed every day by poachers or local communities trying to protect their livestock. There are also large parts of the cat's habitat at risk from unsustainable, poorly planned development and exploitation. Ironically, we do not even know how many of these magnificent cats are exist in the wild, with less than 2% of the snow leopard's global range ever been systematically sampled to assess populations.

Time is running out. Please secure their landscapes with local community support and sustainable development, tackle illegal trade and ensure survival of the snow leopards. I respectfully ask you to...

- ensure that the snow leopard landscapes are secured and protected with the involvement and support of local communities through long-term management plans implemented by all sectors of government and other stakeholders.

- create and implement a joint strategy with all range countries to combat poaching and illegal trade of snow leopards

- support a range-wide, scientifically sound assessment of their remaining population to better inform conservation management

- ensure that all infrastructure development in mountain ecosystems is sustainable and does not threaten snow leopards or their habitats

- work with local communities to develop projects that will promote sustainable development in snow leopard landscapes, helping to decrease rural poverty while respecting the needs of wildlife.

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