Shortly after the opening of its Himalayan habitat this spring, Tierpark Berlin is unveiling another attraction all about one of the most fascinating and elusive inhabitants of the mountains of Asia: Expedition Snow Leopard. Created by German nature conservation society NABU, this interactive exhibition invites visitors on a journey into the natural habitat of the threatened big cat to learn all about how it lives, the dangers it faces, and what each and every one of us can do to help protect the snow leopard. The exhibition is running from now until 28 July.
A combination of digital and analogue activities makes the exhibition a special experience for all ages. Visitors can create paw prints in the sand, catch prey on a monitor, and study a real-life iron trap confiscated by rangers. After visitors have explored the 12 stations – each dedicated to a different country where the snow leopard is found – they come face to face with the so-called “ghost of the mountains” itself through augmented reality. A visit to the temporary exhibition, located by the water play area, is included in the Tierpark ticket price.
“The snow leopard is one of the rarest big cats on Earth, with only 4,000 to 6,400 individuals left in the wild today,” says Thomas Tennhardt, director of NABU’s International Department. “Our exhibition draws visitors’ attention to this special and lesser-known species of big cat – and highlights the need to protect it.”
Snow leopards are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss, climate change and poaching. Tierpark Berlin has therefore started supporting NABU’s conservation projects in Central Asia – including funding an anti-poaching unit in Kyrgyzstan. “The decline of snow leopards in their natural habitat shows how important partnerships like these are for species conservation,” says Zoo and Tierpark Director Dr Andreas Knieriem. “We and NABU both have the same goal: to preserve natural habitats and ensure a future for endangered animal species.”
