RIGHT now is the perfect time to get involved and help support wild Snow Leopards through the Snow Leopard Trust.

The Trust has been tasked with raising US$13,000 by April 30, 2012. If they hit the target then it will be matched dollar for dollar by long time supporters of the Trust; if they do not reach this target they will not receive any of the additional $13,000. By mid-April around $8,000 had already been raised, so there’s $5,000 left to go!

Locally, Linton Zoo has pledged its support to this very worthy cause and has signed up to the National Partnership Programme. The NPP offers the unique opportunity for zoos and their visitors to get directly involved with the highest priority in-situ conservation and research programmes in Snow Leopard range countries.

Zoo manager Kim Simmons said: “For every Snow Leopard sponsorship pack taken out, we will give �50 to the Snow Leopard Trust to go towards their target. This �50 will be potentially turned into �100 (around $160) by the Snow Leopard Trust supporters. So come on.....help us help them reach their target!”

�100 sponsorship pack of Lhamo or Centruio, Linton Zoo’s Snow Leopards, includes:

•Annual sponsorship of either Centurio or Lhamo which runs for a year from a start date you choose. Sponsorship includes certificate, photographs of your chosen cat, your name on an enclosure plaque and the zoo website.

• Two adult admission tickets to Linton Zoo valid until December 31, 2012.

• News mailings throughout the year.

• Membership of Friends of Linton Zoo.

“The remaining �50 from each sponsorship package will be put to good use at Linton Zoo to build a Snow Leopard Paradise for Centurio and Lhamo. The pair has a breeding recommendation from the European Breeding Programme co-ordinator, so with the prospect of cubs on the way, there is no better time to start planning for their future,” added Ms Simmons.

Founded in 1981, the Snow Leopard Trust is the world’s leading authority on the study and protection of the endangered Snow Leopard. To find out more about the work carried out by the Snow Leopard Trust visit the website, snowleopard.org

• To sponsor one of Linton’s Snow Leopards call 01223 891308 or visit lintonzoo.com. If you would like to make a donation towards the cause but do not wish to sponsor a Snow Leopard, then debit card payments can be taken over the phone or you can send a cheque made out to ‘Linton Zoo Conservation Fund’ to Linton Zoo, Hadstock Road, Linton, Cambridgeshire, CB21 4NT.