​Do animals have emotions ? It would seem so even though it has long been thought that they don't, that animals don't even feel pain as we know it. It is hard for humans to understand the complex lives and feelings of species so different than our own and so we tend to anthropomorphise them reading their behaviour in the light of our own. Will we ever really understand what they are thinking or feeling ? Probably not, but what is important is to respect them and the feelings they have even though it's on a level we can't comprehend.

It is heartening to know about a success story and animals. One of those is the reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx to the Swiss alps. Since the reintroduction scientists have noted significant improvements to the forest ecology because the mid size cat predates some of the ungulates that have overpopulated.
It is good news that this beautiful cat after many years of careful management by dedicated conservationists is making a comeback. The only obstacle to their continued success is of course the hunters. The world would be such a beautiful place if it wasn't for these people who think they have some right to take the life of animals for pleasure but despite this the cats appear to be thriving. Like so much wildlife all we have to do is give them a chance to live in peace.

Could there be reason to hope that the efforts of local people and conservationists in India have contributed to an increase in snow leopard populations ?