A snow leopard checks out its new home CHESTER ZOO, ENGLAND AMAZING images show Chester Zoo's first ever snow leopard acclimatising to his new home on
A snow leopard checks out its new home CHESTER ZOO, ENGLAND AMAZING images show Chester Zoo's first ever snow leopard acclimatising to his new home on the first day he was viewed by the public on March 25th. Images show majestic 18-month old male snow leopard Yashin looking out at his new home and staring back at his visitors. He and his sibling Yashin are the only two snow leopards at the zoo after being born and taken there thanks to a successful breeding programme. They are the first of their species ever to call Chester Zoo home. Snow leopards are an endangered species with only a maximum of 7,000 surviving in the wild due to poaching, habitat loss, decline in natural prey species, and human-wildlife conflict. The other major impact on snow leopard survival is the climate crisis. These images were captured by Gary Cox (53) from Manchester, England. Gary captured the stunning snow leopard on his Canon 80D at Chester Zoo, England. “It is the first time in Chester Zoo’s history that they have snow leopards. There is a male (Yashin) and a female (Nubra) and both are 18 months old. The photos are of Yashin,” said Gary. “They are part of a global breeding programme focused on preventing the extinction of this beautiful cat. “They are such beautiful big cats and it is only when you see them close up that you realise just how stunning they really are. “They are so fluffy and you just want to hug them - although I’m sure that wouldn’t be wise. “It was an honour to be one of the first to see them. It was something that I really had to do. “I was worried that I would not see them so I was thrilled when Yashin briefly showed his fluffy face shortly before I left the zoo.” ENDS
Size: 4215px × 5400px
Photo credit: © Media Drum World / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: british, endangered, leopard, nature, photographer, snow, species, uk, wildlife
