For the first time since 2015, the specified number of snow leopards in Russia amounted to at least 87 individuals. Such results were announced by specialists of the Sailugem National Park and the interregional association "Irbis" based on the results of a full-scale accounting. This year, for the first time, expeditions to account for the number and condition of the snow leopard took place in all four regions of the species' habitat in our country: the republics of Tyva, Altai, Buryatia and the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
In Russia, the leopard is included in the Red Book, and is a priority type of the federal project "Conservation of biological diversity and development of ecological tourism". Specialists carry out accounting according to one method, which in 2018 was approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia as part of the snow leopard monitoring program in our country. Researchers use camera traps, trail tracking and a molecular genetic research method (excrement, wool) to determine the abundance of the species.
"The snow leopard is a treasure of our country, a symbol of Altai and Sayan. The only big cats that live in the harsh conditions of the highlands. Uncontrolled hunting in the past has brought the snow leopard almost to the brink of extinction. It is important to preserve the snow leopard by stabilizing its numbers. This can only be ensured by a set of measures aimed at preserving the species itself, its forage objects – ibex and argali, and its habitat. Including through the creation of new specially protected natural areas in key habitats of the snow leopard and the creation of reintroduction centers for the reproduction of leopards and the release of young animals into nature to strengthen the still small free groups. Such centers for snow leopards are already being created in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Altai Republic," said the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia Alexander Kozlov.
Among the regions, the largest number of snow leopards is traditionally recorded in the Altai Republic – 54 snow leopards (eight females, 18 kittens, 28 adults), in second place the Republic of Tyva – 15 snow leopards (three females, seven kittens, five adults), followed by the Krasnoyarsk Territory – 11 snow leopards (two females, five kittens, four adults) and the Republic of Buryatia, where seven snow leopards (one female with two kittens and four adults) have been recorded.
"If in 2022 at least 44 snow leopards were registered in Altai, then this year a record 54 individuals. In Altai, the number of one of the largest groups has also increased – in the Argut River valley, where the Sailugem National Park cluster of the same name was created. If 18 individuals were recorded here in 2022, then this year there are 23 snow leopards. We believe that in the Altai Mountains, the reason for the increase in the number of rare predators is an integrated approach to protection: regular raids, improvement of the scientific base and quality of research, eco–educational activities to foster respect for the predator among residents, the lack of regional quotas for the extraction of Siberian mountain goat, the main prey of the snow leopard in Russia," commented the director of Sailyugemsky Denis Malikov National Park.
Employees of federal and regional specially protected natural territories and public organizations became participants in the accounting of the snow leopard: Sailyugemsky and Tunka national parks, reserves "Ubsunurskaya hollow", Sayano-Shushensky, "Altaysky", Tyva Natural Park, the directorate of protected areas of Altai, the regional public organization "Siberia", the volunteer expedition "In the footsteps of the snow leopard".
Please note that this press release is based on materials provided by the company. AK&M Information Agency shall not be held liable for its contents, nor for the legal and other consequences of its publication.
