Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany to support snow leopard conservation work in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan in central Asia has around 300 snow leopards living in its mountains. NABU, the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union and officials from  Kyrgyzstan announced today they will create a ten year program to protect the endangered snow leopard in this habitat. An international conference to launch the project will be held in the capital, Bishtek in 2012. German Chancellor Angela Merkel supports the project and will be at the launch along with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

NABU estimates that 50% of the cats in Kyrgyzstan have been lost in the last 15 years. An anti-poaching brigade, the Gruppa Bars, was set up to stop the illegal killing of these beautiful cats for fur and body parts.

Two snow leopard cubs confisctaed from ex President of Kyrgyzstan's illegal private zoo, died in Jalal-Abad Zoo this week. Map from Wikipedia.

Recently I posted a news story about the exPresident of Kyrgyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, having illegally kept a private zoo at his house. The zoo was discovered after he fled the country following weeks of violence and recent civil unrest. A number of endangered animals were found including two snow leopard cubs. Sadly the news has come through today that those two cubs died this week. A Russian news service said they were taken to a zoo in Jalal-Abad city, 240 km south of the capital, Bishkek. There have been no details about the deaths to date.

Ousted President of Kyrgyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, found to have private zoo with many endangered animals including 2 snow leopard cubs. Photo LA Times.

Update on yesterdays story about the snow leopard cubs in an illegal private zoo in Kyrgyzstan. BBC News confirms the property belonged to former President Bakiyev.

“A pair of snow leopards and two bear cubs were among the exotic animals found in the private zoo of ousted Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. A golden eagle, two falcons, four African peacocks and Indian ducks were also found in the zoo at the family home in the southern Jalalabad region. “The inspection was conducted as part of criminal investigations brought against close relatives and friends of former president of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev,” a spokesman for the General Prosecutor’s office said. The prosecutors are considering measures to evacuate the animals for their protection.

Bakiyev was ousted during violent protests against widespread corruption and rising utility prices in the Central Asian state earlier this month. He has been granted sanctuary by strongman Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko.”

News just in is that investigators in Kyrgyzstan, which recently had a change of government, says that a relative of the deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev had a private zoo in a house. The animal collection unfortunately includes many animals from the IUCN Endangered Species List including two snow leopard cubs. Officials are trying to protect and rehouse the animals now. Original news post in Russian here.

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Dr. Tom McCarthy has worked with snow leopards for many years and is Director of Field programs with of the Snow Leopard Trust. In this video he talks about the decreasing numbers of snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan and the community based conservation programs the Trust is developing there. These programs help the Kyrgyz villagers who share snow leopard habitat to sell their beautiful rugs and handicrafts all over the world. With extra income they are able to commit to helping the snow leopards survive in their area. Have a look at this video and if you can support the worthwhile program by purchasing some of these lovely handicrafts. I bought a rug and some stunning table mats in deep reds and soft creams for friends and family for Christmas last year. Everyone loved them. Have a look at the crafts here.