A glut of social media videos featuring captive Asian small-clawed otters in the mid-2000s led to what wildlife trade experts term “the pet otter boom.” Demand for the species exploded, placing pressure on wild populations already contending with widespread loss of their wetland habitats. Amid an emerging trend for otter-themed exotic animal cafes in some […]
Tag: snow leopard
Nepal announces its snow leopard population after first-of-its-kind assessment
KATHMANDU — Following decades of speculation, skepticism and lack of consensus, Nepal‘s government has announced the country’s first-ever consolidated national estimate of snow leopards (Panther uncia): 397 individuals. The figure, which translates to 1.56 individuals per 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles), was reported by an expert committee following months of work which involved aggregating […]
Billionaire to Sell Rembrandt Drawing to Help Big Cats Conservation
A rare Rembrandt drawing could soon break auction records—and it’s all for a good cause. According to The Art Newspaper, billionaire art collector Thomas Kaplan plans to sell Young Lion Resting (1638–42) to raise funds for wildlife Conservation. The drawing, now on display at Amsterdam’s H’ART Museum, shows a lion calmly reclining, likely sketched from […]
In 2024, Nepal’s elusive snow leopards pounce into spotlight
KATHMANDU — The elusive snow leopard (Panthera uncia), often described as the “ghost of the mountains,” has captivated the imagination of researchers, the general public and mountain communities for centuries. Fables related to this enigmatic big cat have been handed down from generation to generation, weaving a sense of mystery and reverence for the cat […]
As Nepal counts its snow leopards, even the best estimate is still a guess
KATHMANDU — Scientists and government officials have embarked on the uphill task of coming up with a number, or even just a range, for the population of snow leopards in the Himalayan country. To do so, they’re having to rely on several fragmented studies carried out during different periods of time in different landscapes across […]
Top 11 Wildlife Conservation Books for Eco-Warriors
What do you think of when you hear the term “wildlife conservation”? Most probably, you are picturing a sanctuary for endangered species, and you are not wrong. However, there’s more to this type of natural organization. It also helps with preserving ecosystems, fostering biodiversity, and, in a more global sense, making sure that future generations […]
Snow Leopard hunt by Adam Riley (INDRI Ultimate Wildlife Tours)
It was our third day in high elevation Hemis National Park, we had awakened before dawn and chugged down a mug of life-giving coffee before ascending a few hundred yards to a knoll above our tented camp in the Rhumbak Valley. At this very spot, on our first afternoon in the park, and within half […]