Due to the snow leopard’s endowment of thick fur coats, many of them have been illegally hunted in order to meet the increasing demands for their fur especially in places like Central Asia, Russia and Eastern Europe. The pelts are then turned into coats and other garments where they are sold at high prices. Other then their furs, the snow leopard’s bones and body parts are not spared and are commonly used for traditional Asian medicine.

Most of these poachers are local residents living in the mountainous areas where the snow leopards are found. In such areas, high levels of poverty is common which makes poaching a good source of income for them. This is a good example of conflict of interests whereby humans are benefiting at the expense of the snow leopards in order for survival.