Snow Leopard

 (Panthera uncia)

This animal is also known as the ounce and it lives in central Asia in treeless mountainous areas; very little is known of its habits. It is rather smaller than the leopard and usually pale grey with irregular spots; its coat is very long and thick. Its prey consists of marmots, goats and other mountain-dwelling animals.

The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due mainly to poaching for its fur and habitat destruction.  The global population is estimated to number less than 10,000 adults and is expected to decline by a further 10% before 2040.