JAKARTA - The Moscow Zoo, Russia launched a cage designated for the new habitat of snow leopards, equipped with the area where they play and are active.
"Today, we opened the cage we have built in collaboration with investors and the caretaker of two pairs of snow leopards, Ali Mussayevich (Uzdenov)," said Svetlana Zoo Director Akulova.
"The cage complex consists of an outer space of 600 square meters and an inner enclosure of more than 100 square meters. Untsik, a male leopard, came here from the Czech Republic in 2011 and Daina, a female leopard, came from France. zoologists say they are very civilized cats, show no aggression at all. They really like vetterinary training," he explained.
According to Akulova, leopards also like to play with boxes filled with snacks in them.
"The animals are in the process of pairing and mateling. We hope to see their offspring. They used to be kept together. However, when they grew up they were separated - the cages were divided into two parts," he explained.
The snow leopard cage mimics a rocky field, with various trees, shrubs, grass, and moss grown on a rocky slope. Many plants can be eaten to diversify the big cat's summer food. The cages are divided into two interconnected parts to accommodate the two animals.
Daina and Untsik themselves have stayed in the Center for the Breeding of Endangered Species at the Moscow Zoo.
The new habitat also offers many hiding places for these difficult-to-capture animals: edges, caves, and two-layer wooden platforms. Most of the indoor cages are hidden behind a wooden fence with small windows. The habitat is designed to be home to some leopards and has a place where a female cat can care for its cubs.
Separately, Ali Uzdenov, chairman of the supervisory board of Sailyugensky National Park, said the snow leopard was a rare and endangered species. Only 87 such cats live in Russia, as listed in the 2024 snow leopard census.
"We have to preserve this free, independent and beautiful cat, especially because it is a symbol for many people living in Russia," he explained.
"The opening of these new cages, designed to mimic their natural habitat as much as possible, can be seen as a kind of guarantee for preserving these animals at least in zoos to be bred and then released into the wild," he continued.
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The snow leopard, also known as the ounce, is a large, long-haired cat that comes from the mountains of Central Asia. The global snow leopard population is estimated at 3,500-7,000 adults.
The snow leopard is listed as an endangered animal in the International IUCN/Unity for Natural Conservation/Led List of Threatened Species. He is also listed on the Russian Red List.
The number has decreased drastically due to illegal hunting driven by illegal trade in hair and body parts used for traditional medicine. Loss of habitat and declining number of prey of large cat mammals are also the factors.
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