Snow Leopards
The Problem
Snow leopards are losing their natural habitat and hunting grounds in Cold Asia, which leads them to seek out human livestock as a food source. Since farmers depend heavily on their livestock, snow leopards are often killed in retaliation or even pre-emptively because of the perceived threat.
Snow leopards are also poached for their fur and bones, which are a source of income for people living in rural areas.
What You Can Do
You can help eliminate the pressures of poaching by not buying real fur or bone products. You can also visit the ZooShop to purchase handicrafts from Snow Leopard Trust, which will provide additional income to women living in rural areas near snow leopards.
You can also make a donation to support snow leopard conservation.
How We Help
Seneca Park Zoo partners with organizations like Snow Leopard Trust (SLT), a group that aims to protect snow leopards through community-based conservation projects. We support the operation of camera traps to study leopards as well as funding the livestock insurance program.
Snow leopard predation of livestock can escalate problems and cause financial hardship for families in the native range of snow leopards. The loss of even one animal can be devastating, as many people only make $2 a day. The livestock insurance program has successfully mitigated those conflicts and allowed snow leopards to live in harmony with local families.
At the Zoo
Red Pandas
The Problem
Red panda populations have declined by 50% in just 20 years. The primary threat they face is habitat loss caused by climate change and deforestation. Poaching and the illegal pet trade are also rising threats toward red pandas.
What You Can Do
You can help stop climate change by reducing your carbon emissions. Turning off the lights when not in use, carpooling, and recycling are easy ways to make a difference.
You can also make a donation to support red pandas.
How We Help
The Zoo partners with organizations like Red Panda Network (RPN), which is committed to the conservation of red pandas and their habitat through the education and empowerment of local communities. We support the creation of the World’s first protected area dedicated to red pandas.
The creation of the Panchthar-ilam-Taplejung (PIT) National Forest has the densest population of red pandas in Nepal. Once completed, the PIT forest will create 4500 acres of uninterrupted forest for red pandas, and other wildlife.
At the Zoo
