Mongolia organized a series of activities on Saturday to underscore the importance of protecting the rare snow leopard in anticipation of International Snow Leopard Day, observed annually on October 23.
The events, organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Mongolia, took place in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia.
The snow leopard cubs. /CFP
Activities included a photography exhibition showcasing stunning images of snow leopards, an informative quiz about these endangered animals, a competition to imitate a snow leopard, and public information sessions on the species' role in maintaining ecological balance, as well as the penalties for poaching.
According to WWF-Mongolia, Mongolia is home to the world's second-largest population of snow leopards, following China. It is estimated that around 1,000 adult snow leopards inhabit the country, covering an area of approximately 328,900 square kilometers across the Altai, Sayan and Khangai mountain ranges.
It is estimated that around 1,000 adult snow leopards inhabit Mongolia. /CFP
Major threats to snow leopards in Mongolia include increasing poaching for their bones and conflicts with local herders, who often retaliate against the cats for attacks on livestock.
The activities mentioned aim to raise awareness about the urgent need for effective conservation measures to protect these magnificent animals and their habitats, according to the organizers.