The UN General Assembly declared October 23 as International Snow Leopard Day. The initiative, proposed by Kyrgyzstan, received support from 61 countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, China, and India, the UN announced on Thursday.
The snow leopard, also known as the irbis, symbolizes the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. This rare predator is listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is protected by international conventions. However, its population continues to decline due to poaching, habitat destruction, and climate change.
“Irbis is not only a unique species of large cats but also an important indicator of the health of mountain ecosystems, which play a key role in providing water and other natural resources,” noted Aida Kasymaliyeva, Kyrgyzstan’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
The adopted resolution emphasizes the need to strengthen international cooperation to protect the snow leopard and its natural habitat. It highlights the importance of combating illegal hunting and trafficking, as well as preserving biodiversity.
The resolution urges all interested parties to enhance international and regional collaboration to support conservation efforts for the snow leopard, considering its significance for ecosystems.