{"id":302856,"date":"2023-11-22T11:59:27","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T11:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/uk\/?p=302856"},"modified":"2024-01-04T12:44:20","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T12:44:20","slug":"snow-leopards-coming-to-chester-zoo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/animals\/general-animals\/snow-leopards-coming-to-chester-zoo\/","title":{"rendered":"SNOW LEOPARDS COMING TO CHESTER ZOO!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Early next year, two beautiful snow leopards \u2013 Nubra and Yashin<\/strong> \u2013 will be welcomed into their specially designed new home at Chester Zoo!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, snow leopards in the wild are in trouble \u2013 habitat loss<\/strong>, poaching<\/strong>, conflict with farmers<\/strong> and climate change <\/strong>mean their population is declining<\/strong>, fast. But Chester Zoo<\/strong> want to give these big cats a brighter future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their two new arrivals \u2013 a male<\/strong> and a female<\/strong> \u2013 are part of a global conservation breeding programme<\/strong>. It\u2019s hoped the snow leopards will have cubs<\/strong> and will help save the species<\/strong> from extinction<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right now, experts are busy recreating the big cats\u2019 rugged mountainous home<\/strong> at the zoo. They\u2019re building two spacious outdoor areas, complete with rocky outcrops<\/strong>, air-cooled caves<\/strong>, ledges<\/strong> and overhangs<\/strong> that mimic their Himalayan habitat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s learn some more about these incredible animals<\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Top ten snow leopard facts!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • 1. Every snow leopard has a different coat<\/strong>! That\u2019s how scientists work out their numbers using camera traps<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 2. Long, thick tails<\/strong> help them keep their balance <\/strong>on rugged terrain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 3. The cats\u2019 spotted coat<\/strong> is the perfect camouflage <\/strong>in both rocky <\/strong>and snowy habitats<\/strong>!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 4. Large, fur-covered paws<\/strong> help them walk on snow without sinking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 5. Incredible jumpers<\/strong>, snow leopards can leap up to 9m <\/strong>\u2013 about six times their body length<\/strong>! That\u2019s like you being able to jump more than half the length<\/strong> of a double-decker bus<\/strong>!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 6. Short forelimbs<\/strong> and long hind legs <\/strong>allow these cats to navigate their steep, rocky home easily!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 7. All snow leopards have pale green<\/strong> or grey eyes<\/strong> that help them see in changing light levels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 8. Snow leopards live in the mountainous regions of 12 countries across Asia<\/strong>. They span nearly 2 million km2<\/strong> \u2013 all the way from Bhutan <\/strong>and Nepal <\/strong>to Russia <\/strong>and Mongolia<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 9. Snow leopard mums<\/strong> look after their cubs for around 21 months<\/strong> \u2013 that\u2019s much longer than other big cats<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 10. Stealthy hunters<\/strong>, snow leopards often stalk <\/strong>animals for hours<\/strong> before pouncing<\/strong>, using their strong front legs to capture their prey.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t