Shree

Shree, born in 2022 and a Safe Haven resident since 2024

HISTORY

Shree is our first snow leopard placement from the Snow Leopard Foundation. Although our mission was founded in support of rescuing native orphaned wildlife not eligible for reintroduction and surrendered and confiscated exotic felines, we are also working with both the Cheetah and Snow Leopard species survival plans, providing lifelong care once retired from the program.

Shree was diagnosed with Swimmer’s disease which caused her legs to splay outward, affecting her mobility. Although they were able to successfully treat her, she was not able to continue to participate in the breeding program. Shree was housed with a male, but both started behaving aggressively toward each other and had to be separated. Shree’s new Safe Haven home includes a spacious 10,000-square-foot habitat with mature Austrian pine trees, multi-level shade and climbing platform, and an air-conditioned den.

ABOUT SNOW LEOPARDS

The snow leopard is a beautiful and elusive big cat found in the high mountains of Central and South Asia. Snow leopards are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain. They are also endangered, with an estimated population of only 4,000 to 6,500 adults remaining in the wild.

Snow leopards are perfectly adapted to their cold, mountainous habitat. They have thick, luxurious fur that keeps them warm in the winter, and large paws that act as snowshoes. Snow leopards are also excellent climbers, and they can often be found resting on rocky ledges or in trees.

Snow leopards are solitary animals, and they typically only come together to mate. Females give birth to a litter of 2-3 cubs, which they raise in dens hidden among the rocks. Snow leopard cubs are born blind and helpless, but they grow quickly and are able to hunt on their own by the time they are 2 years old.

Snow leopards are threatened by a number of factors, including habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Habitat loss is a major problem because snow leopards need large areas of land to roam. Poaching is also a serious threat, as snow leopards are often killed for their fur or their bones. Climate change is also a major concern, as it is causing the snow leopard’s habitat to shrink.

Conservationists are working to protect snow leopards and their habitat. They are working to educate people about the importance of snow leopards, and they are also working to create protected areas for snow leopards..