The study found that Tibetan Buddhist monasteries may be better able to protect endangered snow leopards in China than formal preservation programs. Researchers discovered that over 300 monasteries are located near important snow leopard habitats in the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, home to about 4,000 of the estimated 4,000 snow leopards remaining in China. Tibetan Buddhism considers snow leopards sacred and monks patrol surrounding lands, enforcing strict bans on killing wildlife. Other researchers agree religion plays a role in species survival as Buddhist monks will not intentionally kill animals, and monasteries provide natural protective areas, though some disagree monasteries should be directly funded as guardians.