Home / Environment / Snow Leopard Captured After Sheep Slaughter in Xinjiang
Snow Leopard Captured After Sheep Slaughter in Xinjiang
30 Jan
Summary
- Snow leopard killed 35 sheep and injured five others.
- The animal was captured in a herder's sheep pen on Thursday.
- Experts believe it is a two-year-old snow leopard struggling to hunt.
In Fuyun county, Xinjiang, authorities captured a snow leopard on Thursday following recent attacks on livestock and a tourist. The animal was found in a herder's sheep pen in Koktokay town, having killed 35 sheep and injured five others. This incident followed an earlier attack on January 23, where a skier was bitten.
The county's forestry and grassland bureau acted swiftly, setting a trap based on the animal's behavior. Preliminary examinations confirmed it was the same snow leopard involved in both incidents. Experts suggest the subadult, approximately two years old, may have approached human settlements due to difficulties hunting in heavy winter snow.
The snow leopard is in good health and will be released into the wild once weather conditions improve and a scientific assessment is complete. Officials remind the public to maintain a safe distance from wildlife, especially in winter when food scarcity can drive animals closer to human areas.
