Snow leopards’ number declines due to 'retaliation'
Hundreds of snow leopards are being killed by poachers every year across the high mountain ranges of Asia, BBC News says, citing a new report.
It's estimated there are just 4,000 of these elegant but elusive creatures now surviving in the wild.
Around four a week are being poached say experts, with most killed by local people in revenge for livestock losses.
The report highlights concerns that the illegal trade in snow leopard skins is moving online to evade the law.
The highly camouflaged snow leopard is found across 12 countries that sweep around the Himalayan and Tibetan plateaus. These include China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan as well as Mongolia, Tajikistan and Russia.