International Pallas Cat Day

April 23rd marks International Pallas Cat Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about these well-furred cats, also known as Manul, Steppe Car, or Rock Wildcat. Native to the cold Asian steppes, Pallas Cats are found across Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India, central China, Mongolia, and Southern Russia. Among the 41 cat species, 34 are classified as small cats, many of which face significant threats, and Pallas Cats are no exception. Their population is under pressure from various threats, including habitat fragmentation due to overgrazing and land conversion, mining, prey depletion, hunting for fur, and demand in the exotic pet trade.