Some pussy cats

Bit of a surprise to see these,probably the rarest cats in the world.I'd like to say they were in their native mountains,but they are part of a captive breeding programme.Stunning,my absolute favourite cat(well and the "Tiger",obviously)

Truly beautiful TB

Lai

These guys are rare indeed TB, though I believe wild animals should be in the wild, when it gets to the point of needing help to keep the species alive then I am glad there is a breeding programme to do so.

Thanks for posting.

SM

One of the few good things to come out of the Afghanistan war is the fact that another population has been found there,just hope they can survive.

Gorgeous Snow Leopards TB. Lets hope that the ones in Afghanistan do well, it's exciting that more have been found.
I agree that wild is best but sometimes, as I said before, to save a species captive breeding is the way to go.

I saw a Snow Leopard once at Marwell but he was not close enough to get a good photo and my camera would not zoom close enough, so you must have been over the moon to have got these two TB.

littlewid-x-

They've bred 3 cubs,these are now around a year old and will be moved away from their parents to see if they will breed again.The youngsters are to be used around the world to continue the captive breeding.I was told that at the moment they were not planning re-introduction as the gene pool is too small to be a viable option.They need to be able to have non related males and females to put into suitable ares,at least they are trying to put it right .

That makes a lot of sense TB. Hopefully in the future there will be enough of them to consider re-introduction programmes to the wild. In the meantime, lets hope that once the cubs have been removed from their parents, they will breed again. It's all good work for the saving of the Snow Leopard and has to be applauded.

Absolutely gorgeous - what a fantastic snow leopard.

Lai

I understand the feelings against keeping animals in captivity,I don't like the idea either,but where a proactive attempt to increase the population properly is undetaken,I do give my support.

I agree with that sentiment TB, as long as it's just not for show, but has some thought of increasing the gene pool, so that sometime in the future there is a possibilty of reintroduction
WS

I agree with you TB. These cats are too beautiful and special to loose. The last photo is stunning, you can really see how thick their coat is, they are truely magnificent.
Have you any more photos of them?

littlewid-x-

It was the size of their feet that amazed me,plus the speed with which they could accelerate.You would not want to be on the menu for dinner,you'd have no chance.

TB but they look so gorgeous - not at all like they'd eat you for dinner.

Lai

Great shots TB, they really are special Cats. You can stay for dinner Lai, I'm off with TB
WS

They are two powerful looking cats and if they came my way I would have to surrender........my little legs would not out run those two......so Lai and I would make dinner and dessert WS

Their paws are huge TB but then again they are massive cats, they really are spectacular.

If you have more......yes please

littlewid-x-

Littlewid

Lai

Large paws!

LW from the sounds of things you would be the appetiser

God only know what Id be then!

SM

This is the only picture I got of one of the parents.

Correct me if i'm wrong TB but that has got to be the dad, so male looking (sorry if it is the mum). These truely are stunning cats and i'm honest enough to admit I am a tad jealous of how close you have been to them TB but on the other hand I am so delighted that you were and we got to see some amazing photo's.

Maybe your right about the appetiser SM, the Ewok is getting a tad smaller these days, so that makes you and Lai, Main Course and Dessert and WS can be Coffee and Petit Fours............and TB will be the one who throws us to the cats for being cheeky .......sorry TB

littlewid-x-