Went to Micke Grove Zoo today. I got there early So I had an hour or so to walk around. I got to see the pond areas and all the old oak trees. They are so pretty. I love how the massive branches stretch out in all directions all gnarly and bent, never knowing which way it will turn next. I also discovered a rose garden that I did not know was there. It was quite beautiful.

The reason I went today was to celebrate Ling's, the snow leopard, birthday. He turned the big 20 today. Which is really old for snow leopards, 22 being the oldest ever recorded, and since he only has a year or two left I thought it would be nice to celebrate with him. He got a nice birthday cake, made from blood, milk and meat and iced with cat food. He seemed to love it. They also had a new baby pudu!

Daniel and Christa were there too, along with Christa's kids and little sister. They had a blast with all the games and stuff.

Since today was all about Ling, I feel compelled to give some information on the majestic snow leopard.

Snow leopards occupy alpine and subalpine areas generally 3,350 and 6,700 metres (10,990 and 22,000 ft) above sea level in Central Asia. The Snow Leopard Survival Strategy compiled national snow leopard population estimates. Many of the estimates are acknowledged to be rough and out of date, but the total estimated population is 4,080-6,590. However, the global snow leopard effective population size (those likely to reproduce) is suspected to be fewer than 2,500 (50% of the total population, or 2,040-3,295).

The snow leopard cannot roar, despite possessing partial ossification of the hyoid bone. This partial ossification was previously thought to be essential for allowing the big cats to roar, but new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx, which are absent in the snow leopard. Snow leopard vocalizations include hisses, chuffing, mews, growls, and wailing.

Considerable predation of domestic livestock occurs which brings it into direct conflict with humans. Herders will kill snow leopards to prevent them from taking their animals. The loss of prey animals due to over grazing by domestic livestock, poaching and defense of livestock are the major drivers for the decreasing population. Snow leopards have not been reported to attack humans, and appear to be among the least aggressive of all the big cats. As a result, they are easily driven away from livestock; they readily abandon their kills when threatened and may not even defend themselves when attacked.