Musk deer
Saker falcon
Pallas’s cat
The Interregional Association "Center for the Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard "Irbis"
Established in 2021 to preserve rare animal species
The Interregional Association "Center for the Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard "Irbis"
Established in 2021 to preserve rare animal species
87
number of snow leopards in Russia
number of Altai mountain sheep (argali) in Russia
3 500
participants have taken part
in eco-educational events across Russia
in eco-educational events across Russia
20 000+
Our primary objective is to conserve snow leopards, argali, musk deer, and other endangered species.
The Irbis Association is dedicated to supporting scientific research, anti-poaching initiatives, environmental education, and major educational and international projects. By focusing on the conservation of the irbis, we contribute to the preservation of the entire fragile ecosystem of the Altai-Sayan mountain system, where the snow leopard thrives in harmony with local communities, international partners, the state, society, and business.
The documentary "The Master of the Altai Mountains" is a professional production
We are proud to present exclusive footage of a snow leopard in the Altai wilderness. The film is narrated by Nikolai Nikolayevich Drozdov and Konstantin Khabensky.
The First All-Russian Snow Leopard Survey
The results of the 2024 Annual All-Russian Snow Leopard Survey, supported by the Interregional Association "Irbis" and coordinated by the Sailugem National…
First international survey of argali in Russia and Mongolia
The Irbis Association and the Sailugem National Park have released a summary of the results of the count of Altai mountain sheep in the transboundary zone of Russia and Mongolia.
The interactive exposition "Irbis. Invisible Cat" at the Moscow Zoo
The number of visitors has already exceeded several million people.
Our achievements
Since its establishment in 2021, the Irbis Association has supported and implemented dozens of projects, events, and ideas aimed at the study and conservation of irbis and argali.
Our achievements
Since its establishment in 2021, the Irbis Association has supported and implemented dozens of projects, events, and ideas aimed at the study and conservation of irbis and argali.
The documentary "The Master of the Altai Mountains" is a professional production
We are proud to present exclusive footage of a snow leopard in the Altai wilderness. The film is narrated by Nikolai Nikolayevich Drozdov...
The First All-Russian Snow Leopard Survey
The results of the 2024 Annual All-Russian Snow Leopard Survey, supported by the Interregional Association "Irbis" and coordinated by the Sailugem National…
First international survey of argali in Russia and Mongolia
The Irbis Association and the Sailugem National Park have released a summary of the results of the count of Altai mountain sheep in the transboundary zone of Russia and Mongolia.
The interactive exposition "Irbis. Invisible Cat" at the Moscow Zoo
The interactive exposition "Irbis. Invisible Cat" at the Moscow Zoo.
Exhibition “Snow Leopard. See and save" in the Tretyakov Gallery
More than 17,000 people visited the exhibition.
Graffiti image of a snow leopard near the Barrikadnaya metro station in Moscow
Colorful bright graffiti with an image of snow leopard kittens is painted on the wall at the exit from the metro...
Scientific Russian and international expeditions
International expeditions of scientists and experts on snow leopard conservation to Mongolia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with the aim of exchanging experience...
Who are we preserving?
The Association has identified a list of rare animal species that will be prioritized for protection and conservation.
Musk deer
The small deer without antlers, but with prominent ears. The animal’s distinguishing characteristic is the fangs of the males, which grow throughout their lives and protrude from under the upper lip. In the Altai-Sayan ecoregion, the musk deer inhabits the same environment as snow leopards
Saker falcon
The large falcon is one of the most vulnerable raptors in Northern Eurasia. Siberia is home to a unique morph, the Altai Baloban. These birds were almost completely captured from the wild for the needs of Arabian falconers. It is imperative that these birds are protected.
Pallas's Cat
Pallas' cat is a cute-looking, albeit aggressive and cautious, wild cat. Similar to the snow leopard, it is rare and secretive in nature. Pallas' cat also requires protection, but it is challenging to identify who might be a potential threat to such a beautiful creature. Let’s explore this topic further.
Pallas's Cat
Pallas' cat is a cute-looking, albeit aggressive and cautious, wild cat. Similar to the snow leopard, it is rare and secretive in nature. Pallas' cat also requires protection, but it is challenging to identify who might be a potential threat to such a beautiful creature. Let’s explore this topic further.
Who are we preserving?
The Association has identified a list of rare animal species that will be prioritized for protection and conservation.
Musk deer
The small deer without antlers, but with prominent ears. The animal's distinguishing characteristic is the fangs of the males, which grow throughout their lives and protrude from under the upper lip. In the Altai-Sayan ecoregion, the musk deer inhabits the same environment as snow leopards.
Saker falcon
The large falcon is one of the most vulnerable raptors in Northern Eurasia. Siberia is home to a unique morph, the Altai Baloban. These birds were almost completely captured from the wild for the needs of Arabian falconers. It is imperative that these birds are protected.
Pallas's Cat
Pallas' cat is a cute-looking, albeit aggressive and cautious, wild cat. Similar to the snow leopard, it is rare and secretive in nature. Pallas' cat also requires protection, but it is challenging to identify who might be a potential threat to such a beautiful creature. Let’s explore this topic further.
The Board of Trustees and the Association’s management team
Irina Valerievna Sannikova
Member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation,
Member of the Council of Regions
of the Russian Geographical Society
Member of the Council of Regions
of the Russian Geographical Society
Svetlana Vladimirovna Akulova
General Director of the Moscow Zoo
Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov
Head of the Republic of Tatarstan
Nikolay Nikolaevich Drozdov
Doctor of Biological Sciences, TV host
Sergey Valerievich Naidenko
Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Director of the A.N. Severtsov Institute
Ali Mussayevich Uzdenov
Chairman of the General Meeting of the Irbis Association, member of the Russian Geographical Society, Chairman of the Association "Wildlife of the Steppe," Chairman of the General Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the National Park "Sailugemsky," and founder and trustee of the Center for Maintenance of the Musk Deer Population "AltaiEcosphere."
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© The Interregional Association “Center for the Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard ”Irbis”, 2021 — 2025
Musk deer
Saker falcon
Pallas’s cat
