Photo of the Day #82: Snow Leopard Cubs

The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is one of the most most endangered big cats, and while there are many laws and programs that seek to protect the animals poaching is still a problem. Earlier this year NPR featured a short report on this problem, but it's not only scientists that are concerned about the disappearance of these cats and other animals. Photographers and a growing number of wildlife sound technicians are also heading out into the the places where rare species are still hanging on, and yesterday NPR featured another report featuring big cat conservation expert Alan Rabinowitz, photographer Franz Lanting, and bio-acoustician Bernie Krause. It's well worth a listen, especially Krause's part about how sound can be a useful indicator of biodiversity and ecosystem change.