The Snow Leopard, an endangered species, is being protected in hundreds of Buddhist monasteries in the Tibetan plateau, according to a study of Conservation Biology. The research, unveiled yesterday on the Huffington Post, says half of these monasteries are found in the habitat of leopards-das-neves, the monks the monitor and protect the poachers.
"Buddhism has a maximum principle â" love, respect and compassion for all living beings. This study highlights the way in which science and the spiritual values of Tibetan Buddhism can combine their visions and wisdom to help protect the natural heritage of China ", explained George Schaller, biologist of the conservationist group Pantera and one of those responsible for the study.
According to the study, between 3,500 and 7,000 leopards-das-neves live in the high mountains of Asia, of which 60% are in the Chinese territory. Your hot skin protects you from the cold of high altitudes, and its big feet are excellent for walking in the snow.
Poachers seek in these leopards endangering their hot skin and internal organs, intended for traditional Chinese medicine. Farmers, on the other hand, want to get rid of the leopards as they eat their animals. Thus, the population decreased 20% in the last two decades.
In recent years, however, this statistic may be changing. From 2009 to 2011, Schaller and his colleagues surveyed the population of leopards-das-neves in Sanjiangyuan region, Chinese province of Qingahi, on the Tibetan plateau.
About 80% of the people living in the habitat of this animal practice Tibetan Buddhism, which, around here, the animals are not in danger. According to scientists, the population of leopards-das-neves should increase in the coming years.
On the other hand, half of the 336 monasteries Tibetans are home to these animals, so it is normal that your reproductive cycle help to their survival as a species and increase the number of individuals.
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