"The snow leopard (Panthera uncial) is a flagship and keystone species in much of the alpine ecosystems of Central Asia, with only 4500–7500 individuals left in the world (McCarthy and Chapron, 2003). It has been listed as endangered by the (IUCN) since 1972 (Goodwin and Holloway, 1972), and included in Appendix I of the since 1975 (McCarthy and Chapron, 2003). They are also legally protected at the national level in every range country (McCarthy and Chapron, 2003). However, poaching for the exquisite fur and highly valued bones remains a significant and mostly increasing threat to snow leopards range-wide (McCarthy and Chapron, 2003). China is estimated to contain roughly 60% of snow leopard habitat and population, distributed primarily in and the and Autonomous Regions, bus also occurring in , and Provinces, and the (McCarthy and Chapron, 2003). At the same time, China likely owns the largest potential market, with a billion people of increasing economic stature and traditions of utilizing wildlife for traditional purposes. As such, the combination of China’s importance for the species and its threat through the poaching and trade of snow leopards makes China a determinant player in the species’ survival."