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The endangered snow leopard has some allies in unexpected places. The leopards are being protected by hundreds of Buddhist monasteries on Tibetan plateau. In Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries have substantial overlap with snow leopard range and may protect more snow leopard habitats than nature reserves by organizing patrolling around sacred mountains and educating communities. Scientists, who detailed their study in the journal Conservation Biology, found that half of the monasteries are within the snow leopards' habitat and that monks patrol the wilderness to prevent poachers from killing the rare cats. "Buddhism has as a basic tenet - the love, respect, and compassion for all living beings," said study co-author George Schaller, a biologist with the endangered cat conservation group Panthera, in a statement. "This report illuminates how science and the spiritual values of Tibetan Buddhism can combine their visions and wisdom to help protect China's natural heritage." The snow leopard is intricately woven into cultural and mythological fabric of regions it inhabits. Central Asia, especially in Tibetan and Mongolian traditions, regards creature as sacred and mystical. In Tibetan Buddhism, snow leopard acts as a spiritual guardian, a symbol of protection and spiritual guidance. Meanwhile, indigenous cultures of Himalayas view it as a bridge between earthly realm and the heavens, while in shamanic practices, it aids spiritual practitioners in their otherworldly journeys. Its elusive nature, combined with its adeptness in treacherous terrains, stands as a testament to its strength, agility and freedom. This magnificent animal, known for its resilience, also symbolizes human drive to overcome adversities. Local folklore elevates the creature to mystical heights, attributing it with supernatural abilities, guarding sacred sites, and acting as a steward of wildlife. Enduring reverence for snow leopard underscores humanity's innate desire to connect with and protect the natural world. Between 3500-7000 snow leopards live high in the mountains of Asia, with about 60% living in China. Their thick, warm fur keeps them protected from the wintry chill at high altitudes, and their wide paws help them pad gracefully through snow. Poachers kill cats for their warm fur and internal organs, which are prized in traditional Chinese medicine. And herders may hunt them because the leopards often eat their sheep or goats. As a result, snow leopard population has dropped by about 20% in last two decades. From 2009 to 2011, Schaller and his colleagues surveyed the snow leopard population in Sanjiangyuan region of China’s Qinghai Province, which is on the Tibetan plateau. In addition to nearly half of 336 monasteries residing in leopard habitat, team found that 9 out of 10 were within 5km of territory. Since 2009, several conservation organizations have worked with four monasteries in region to reduce human-leopard conflicts and to train monks to protect wildlife. Team found that many Buddhist monks not just those at the four monasteries they worked with actively patrolled the areas to prevent killing of snow leopards; the monks also taught the local people that killing the majestic creatures was wrong. In household surveys with 144 families, most people said they did not kill wildlife, with many citing Buddhism's nonviolence as their reasoning. A greater proportion of snow leopards were being protected in regions around monasteries than in core nature reserve set aside for the big cats. The findings suggest programs that work with Buddhist monasteries to promote snow leopard conservation could be remarkably effective. About 80% of people within snow leopards' natural range practice Tibetan Buddhism, so the strategy could conceivably be expanded beyond the current area, the authors wrote in the paper. 🎥 : Tibet Movie Teaser #archaeohistories