Our Crew
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Kisa
- Arrived in Santa Barbara in November 2019 from Hogle Zoo in Utah
- Name means “kitty” in Russian
- Non-breeding female; snow leopards are usually solitary in the wild (outside of mating season or when female is raising young)
- Snow leopards have a variety of adaptations that enable them to live in the extreme conditions of cold, high mountains. Examples include thick fur for insulation, large paws that act as snowshoes, and a long tail that can act as a scarf in cold temperatures.
Conservation Status
In September 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the snow leopard has been downgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable” on the Red List.
Preservation efforts are paying off, but the species is still at high risk due to habitat loss, diminishing prey, competition with livestock, and poaching. Recent estimates put the global population at around 4,000, which is on the low end of the scale between endangered (less than 2,500 mature individuals) and vulnerable (less than 10,000 mature individuals).
In October 2013, officials representing 12 Central and South Asian countries endorsed a new global conservation initiative to sustain the cats’ mountain-steppe and mountain tundra ranges.
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Species Survival Plans
The Santa Barbara Zoo is one of the 220+ accredited zoos and aquariums that participate in Species Survival Plans (SSP), a cooperatively managed program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). More than 200 different species are managed through SSPs, aimed at maintaining genetic diversity within AZA populations, sustaining these populations, and guarding against extinction.
Wildlife Experiences
Meet the Animals
Have you always wanted to get just a little bit closer to the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo? Well, you can! Take a look at our animal encounters, and choose the best option for you and/or your family.