Save Snow Leopards From Extinction

Animal Welfare, Petitions — By Brendan Amland on October 8, 2011 2:07 pm

Target: U.S. Congress

Goal: Expand international aid to protect snow leopards from extinction

Found prowling the mountains of 12 different countries spreading throughout the Middle East and Asia, snow leopards are soon to exist only in memory. Numerous dangers intersect the lives of these majestic creatures causing their numbers to diminish at an alarming rate.

An estimated 3,500 to 7,000 snow leopards are believed to exist in the wild with an additional 600 residing in zoos around the world. Intersecting the lives of these elusive animals are the pernicious problems of Asian traditional medicine, immense human poverty, and the expansion of farming.

Dwelling in the realm of placebos rather than in evidence-based medicine, Asian traditional medicine depends upon the pelts, bones and organs of snow leopards to sustain the delusional beliefs and practices of these traditions. Increased wealth and prosperity throughout Asia, in addition, are affording more people to have more access to these prized animals, further enhancing the risk of snow leopard extinction.

Furthermore, widespread poverty exists throughout the areas in which snow leopards roam. Often living on an annual income of $300, people are incentivized to poach these animals, for just one snow leopard fur can be sold for a year’s income.

Finally, the expansion of farms has pushed people into the snow leopards’ territory, which often results in these animals preying on the farmer’s herd of goat and sheep prompting herders to seek future protection by hunting down the furry culprit. Protecting herders from snow leopards is, thus, an immediate solution to a growing problem.

While it is highly necessary that destructive traditions of Asian medicine and widespread poverty in these areas be curbed, it is somewhat difficult to do so. However, helping farmers coexist with these fantastical animals by installing chain link fences to cover livestock pens is not as difficult. In fact, current snow leopard conservation organizations, such as the Snow Leopard Trust, have found much success with this approach, but they naturally need more support.

By signing this petition, you are crying out to your government to aid international organizations such as the Snow Leopard Trust in safeguarding the future of these majestic creatures.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear U.S. Congress,

With an estimated 3,500 to 7,000 wild snow leopards still roaming this earth, these priceless animals are being increasingly threatened by numerous factors, including Asian traditional medicine and the expansion of farming.

While objectively only as effective as a commonplace placebo, much of Asian traditional medicine depends upon the pelts, bones and organs of snow leopards to sustain the illusion of medicinal value that these traditions claim. Increased wealth and prosperity throughout Asia are launching many out of poverty in addition to affording more people increased access to fulfilling their out of touch medicinal values, further endangering the snow leopard population.

Furthermore, by posing dangers to both herders and snow leopards, the expansion of farms has catapulted humans into the snow leopards’ territory, which often results in the leopards preying upon the farmers’ animals and the farmers, in turn, retaliating by killing the cats.

Coaxing people away from pernicious medicinal practices is rather difficult, but helping farmers to install chain link fences to protect their herd from the leopards and, consequently, the leopards from the farmers is attainable, as demonstrated by international organizations such as the Snow Leopard Trust.

As an indicator of the health of an ecosystem, the vitality of each organism plays a fundamental role in determining the health of the whole.

Thus, I respectfully urge you to aid international organizations working to protect snow leopards in an effort to maintain the world’s invaluable biodiversity.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Will Go Here]