Endangered Cats

Michael Chambers Foundation

Is Supporting

SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVATION

WITH

THE CAT SURVIVAL TRUST
THE CENTRE
CODICOTE ROAD
WELWYN
HERTFORDSHIRE AL6 9TU
Charity reg/no : 272187
Website : www.catsurvivaltrust.org

The Charity is run by DR TERRY MOORE,
The Cat Survival Trust is dedicated in promoting conservation and captive breeding programmes.

Cato at ten months old with Dr. Terry Moore
Photographed by Mark Haysman

Snow Leopard ( Panthera uncia )

Status
Endangered

Description
Soft grey coat, white on belly. Head and limbs are marked with solid black or brown sports; body is covered with brown blotches ringed with black, and a black streak runs down the back. Tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of the paws are covered with fur for protection against snow and cold. The winter coat is lighter in colour.

Size
Head and body length is 47 -59 inches, while the tail is 31-39 inches long.

Habitat
Mountain steppes and coniferous ( pine/evergreen ) forest scrub at high altitudes ( 5900 - 18000 feet ).
Prefer mountain regions in the winter, moving to meadows and rocky areas during the summer months.

Range
The high mountains of Central Asia, specifically the Himalayas, Altai and Hindu Kush. Jammu and Kashmir is situated in the central region of the Snow leopard range.
Snow leopards have a broad home range covering about 100 square miles because of the lack of abundant prey.

Food Source
The snow leopards prey include wild sheep ( such as Bharal, the blue sheep), wild boar, gazelles, hares, markhor, tahr, bobak, marmots, mice, and deer.
They stalk their prey and usually spring from a distance of 20 to 50 feet.

Behaviour 
Solitary creatures, only pairing during breeding season. They do not roar. Snow leopards are considered nocturnal, but seem to be most active in the early morning and late afternoon. They den in rocky caverns and crevices.

Reproduction
Breeding season is usually January to May , with gestation lasting 98 - 103 days. A female will give birth to one to four young in the spring in the rocky shelter lined with her fur. The young open their eyes at 7 - 9 days, eat solid food at 2 months and follow their mothers on hunts at three months. Cubs remain with the mother through their first winter.

Longevity
Snow leopards have lived up to 15 years in captivity.

Survival Threats
Poaching for the fur trade, loss of habitat caused by deforestation and dam projects, and loss of food sources by similar environmental pressures.

Legal Protection
CITES , Appendix 1, Endangered Species Act.

Conservation
Habitat protection , captive breeding, stiff penalties for poachers and international buyers of illegal furs. And fur , bones and organs, used in many traditional medicines.

MY FOUNDATION WILL BE PROMOTING AND FUNDING SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVATION

MY FOUNDATION has donated the sum of £600

Towards the care of K2 a young male cub

The Cat Survival Trust
Has a fine collection of these rare species based in Hertfordshire.

Kamarh : male ( C.S.T )
Irbis : female ( C.S.T )
K2 : male ( C.S.T ) - Young cub born 2004 parents : Kamarh & Irbis
Tara : female ( Belfast Zoo )
Tikana : male ( Linton Zoo )
Cato : male ( C.S.T ) parents : Kamarh & Irbis
Irena : female ( Jersey Zoo )
Tammy : female ( C.S.T ) parents : Kamarh & Irbis

My foundation will be arranging special visitors to,

The Cat Survival Trust

I will taking small groups around the Cat Survival Trust
Where you meet the endangered cats.

Snow Leopards : Jaguar : Pumas : Ocelot : Caracal : Bobcats :
European Lynx & Scottish Wildcat

Dr Terry Moore, trust director, will be available to tell about The Cat Survival Trust and the charity work on Snow leopard Conservation.

Rob Martin, head cat keeper will be also available to take you around and talk about the trust Snow leopards and other endangered cats.

I will holding the events on Sundays from 1100 - 1600hrs

Dates are :
AUGUST 21st
SEPTEMBER 11th
OCTOBER 23rd
NOVEMBER 12th
DECEMBER 4TH

The fee to attend the special visits will be £ 10.00 per adult (children free)

And includes 1 years membership to the Trust.

Cheques payable : The Cat Survival Trust

My foundation will provide you with an information pack.

If you are interested please book early

Please contact:-

Michael Chambers Foundation
84 Broadwater Crescent
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire
AL7 3TU
Mobile : 07979 836411

Email : orangutan.appeal@ntlworld.com