Wheeling in Ohio County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Snow Leopard
Snow leopards are one of the least understood of the big cats, because their secretive nature and remote habitat make them difficult to study. Their exact numbers are not known, but it is believed there are a between 4,500 and 10,000 snow leopards living in the wild.
Snow leopards are hunted for their fur, bones and other body parts. The illegal wildlife trade is the primary threat to the snow leopard's survival. With continued human encroachment into snow leopard territory, encounters between leopards and domestic species are increasing. Many snow leopards are killed by farmers who fear the leopards and domestic species are increasing. MAny snow leopards are killed by farmers who fear the leopards will prey on their livestock.
The main sources of food for snow leopards are wild sheep and goats. The number of these animals is declining due to over-hunting by humans. Your zoo participates in the snow leopard Species Survival Plan breeding program with other Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited institutions to ensure healthy populations of this rare species in human care.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Anthropology & Archaeology • Environment • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 40° 5.79′ N, 80° 40.045′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. Marker is on Zoo Circle, 0.3 miles south of Waddington Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 345 Zoo Cir, Wheeling WV 26003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Species Survival Plan (within shouting distance of this marker); Boer and Nubian Goats (within shouting distance of this marker); Alpaca (within shouting distance of this marker); Llama (within shouting distance of this marker); Saanen Goat and Nigerian Dwarf Goat (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Chinese Goral (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); White-Naped Crane (about 300 feet away); Eastern Box Turtle (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheeling.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 9 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 24, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
