International Snow Leopard Day 2024: Date, Interesting facts & History

Every year, October 23 is celebrated globally as International Snow Leopard Day with the aim to raise awareness about conservation and preservation of these splendid animals. This special day was chosen to celebrate the anniversary of the first Global Snow Leopard Forum held in Bishek, Kyrgyzstan in 2013.

The World Snow Leopard Day also provides an opportunity to learn more about the elusive snow leopard and what can be done to protect them.

International Snow Leopard Day Date

International Snow Leopard Day Overview

Interesting facts about Snow Leopard

Snow Leopards are rare animals found exclusively in 12 countries namely India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. They are constantly under the threat of poaching, habitat loss and killings for the protection of livestock. Due to these reasons, their survival is in threat.

On the occasion of this International Snow Leopard Day, let us learn some fascinating facts about them.

1. The snow leopard is usually solitary and highly elusive.
2. Snow leopards, unlike other big cats, cannot roar. They rather meow or purr.
3. They might be named as snow leopard but they more closely resemble tigers.
4. Snow leopards can travel up to 25 miles in a single night.
5. These animals are known for their high jump and can leap up to 9 meters which is 6 times their body length.
6. Only about 4,000 leopards are left in the wild. However the exact number is not known.
7. Snow leopards are known to live as high as 5,859 meters above sea level, the highest altitude ever known for big cats.
8. There is only major threat to the existence of Snow Leopard- humans.
9. However, these animals in turn are not known to be aggressive toward humans.
10. Snow leopards sometimes have home ranges of up to 1,000 square kilometers.

Significance of International Snow Leopard Day

International Snow Leopard Day celebrates the powerful and captivating animals while also focuses on finding the ways to protect these animals from possible threats. Snow leopards are incredibly vulnerable to poaching and loss of prey.

Currently they are sparsely in 12 countries over central Asia. There is much that needs to be to create awareness about conservation and preservation of these animals. With this aim, October 23 will be observed as International Snow Leopard Day.

Check: Other special days in October

History of International Snow Leopard Day Observation

The first step towards the celebration of International Snow Leopard Day was taken in 2013 when the Bishkek Declaration was adopted during the first Global Forum on the Conservation of the Snow Leopard. The forum was held in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek on October 23rd, 2013. The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) was also launched on this day.

In 2014, to mark the one-year anniversary of the Bishkek Declaration, the twelve countries present at the forum decided to celebrate October 23rd as International Snow Leopard Day. Finally in 2015, the day was adopted and the very first International Snow Leopard Day was celebrated on October 23, 2015. The year 2023 will mark the ninth celebration of this day.

How is International Snow Leopard Day celebrated?

Various events across the world are organized every year to celebrate the International Snow Leopard Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration by the 12 snow leopard range countries. You can actually or virtually participate in these events to celebrate the day. Take this day as an occasion to learn more about the Snow Leopard, where they live, the threats they face and what you can do to help safeguard their future. For a more authentic celebration, you can adopt a snow leopard.

Details about World Gibbon Day

By supporting WWF, you can help fund their work with local communities to monitor snow leopard movements and reduce conflict between human and snow leopard. You can also order a WWF badge and show your support this World Snow Leopard Day by flaunting it in front of your friends. Encourage them to participate in the celebration as well.

FAQs