The survey of the Argut cluster of Sailugem National Park revealed the presence of at least 20 snow leopards in the Argut River valley, including three females with offspring, two groups with three kittens each, and a third group with two kittens.This substantiates the area's designation as the primary habitat of the irbis in Russia. The survey team traversed 120 kilometers of high-mountain routes, meticulously checking 52 photo and video cameras and analyzing 51,027 frames.

During the survey, experts traversed approximately 160 kilometers of the high-mountainous terrain within the Sailugem Ridge and Yuzhno-Chuysky Ridge. The data gathered from 34 camera traps (comprising approximately 6,942 photos and videos) substantiated the preservation of the Sailugem range of irbis.The South Chuysky Ridge data exhibited minor discrepancies compared to the 2022 data. This variation was attributed to challenges in accessing some cameras due to the substantial snow cover, which limited the comprehensive data collection.Notwithstanding these challenges, the survey team documented the presence of a female with three kittens, as previously recorded, along with two additional individuals whose sex remains to be determined.In light of these findings, specialists have planned a follow-up expedition to the South Chuysky Ridge.

Support of Snow Leopard Surveys in the Altai Republic in Partnership with Sailugemsky National Park

The Association provided support for snow leopard monitoring on the Ukok plateau in the Altai Republic by furnishing conservation organizations with fuel, lubricants, daily allowances, 10 automatic cameras, lithium batteries, and memory cards for camera traps. The expedition participants discovered evidence of snow leopards' activity and established 10 camera traps in new locations where the species is likely to be present. This will contribute to expanding the research area on the remote and challenging-to-reach plateau.

In the future, the automatic cameras will be checked by employees of the Altai Protected Areas Directorate, which manages the Ukok Rest Area Nature Park, which was established on the plateau in 2005. The Irbis Association provided the Directorate with 10 camera traps, field equipment, and uniforms. The Ukok Plateau is a remote and unique territory in the Altai Republic on the border with Mongolia. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, it is a poorly studied habitat of the snow leopard. Nevertheless, the area is important for the protection of the rare predator, as it is located in the transboundary zone of Russia and China. In 2005, the "Ukok Rest Area" Nature Park was established in Ukok, which is part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site "Altai — Golden Mountains."

Scientific research of snow leopard on the Ukok Plateau, Altai Republic

With the support of the Association, field work was carried out by employees of the Sailugemsky National Park in collaboration with specialists from protected areas of Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and four regions of irbis habitat in Russia.

Prior to the start of field work, a working meeting was held to discuss the methodology of counting snow leopards, research and protection of the stealthy predator, and exchange experiences in collecting and processing scientific data. During the expedition, the experts also monitored the Siberian ibex and organized preventive talks with local cattle breeders on the importance of prompt reporting of irbis attacks on livestock.

At least 13 irbis have been confirmed on the South Chuisky Ridge, which is the second important habitat of irbis in the Altai Mountains after the Argut River valley, where up to 20−23 irbis have been recorded. It is crucial to maintain constant observation in this area, as hunting is permitted and tourism during summer months can lead to increased disturbances.

Expedition to the snow leopard habitat on the South Chuisky Ridge

The Irbis Association, in collaboration with the Sailugemsky National Park, has initiated a program in the Altai Republic, home to the majority of Russia’s snow leopards, to provide compensation to herders in the Kosh-Agach district for losses incurred due to irbis attacks on livestock. The district was selected due to its history of frequent irbis attacks on livestock, compounded by the presence of the recently established Sailugemsky National Park, which boasts a robust material, technical, and resource base. This enables the organization of a reliable and effective system for responding to shepherd reports of attacks, conducting site visits to verify the attacks, and disbursing compensation.

In April 2023, in the Kosh-Agach district of the Altai Republic in the Taldura tract on the South Chuisky Ridge, a female snow leopard with two kittens attacked the livestock of a local herdsman, killing 27 sheep. The Irbis Association, in partnership with the Sailugem National Park, compensated the shepherds for the damage.

Compensation to pastoralists to reduce conflict with irbis

The Association provided support for the work on counting the number and condition of the Altai mountain sheep population in the transboundary zone of Russia and Mongolia. In Russia, the survey was conducted by the staff of the Sailugem National Park in the Altai Republic on the Sailugem Ridge and adjacent areas. Prior to the survey, the organizers held an introductory meeting, where they divided into groups and distributed work routes. At the conclusion of 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation formally endorsed the Altai Mountain Sheep Conservation Strategy, the nation’s primary document outlining the objectives and strategies for safeguarding the world’s largest argali population. Order No. 41-r outlined key objectives, including the preservation of stable groups of the species and the assurance of unobstructed migration between Russia and Mongolia, while considering the expanding human impact on mountain sheep habitats.

According to the results of the survey, the number of argali recorded was 2,644, which is 164 more than the 2,488 recorded in 2022 on the Sailugem Ridge. This is a significant increase compared to the 525 argali counted at the beginning of the Sailugem National Park in 2014.

Experts attribute the increase in the number of Altai mountain rams to the effective protection of the lands, as well as the joint efforts of conservation organizations, including the Sailugemsky National Park and the Border Guard Department of the Altai Republic.

According to the results of the count, a record was recorded: the largest herd of males and females of 359 heads in the history of observations since 2013.

A total of seven chicks of the Saker Falcon, a special Altai morph, were released into the wild by heckling. The chicks were planted in boxes in the Saker Falcon habitat in Sailugemsky National Park and gradually adapted to life in the wild. Saker falcons have small tattoos on their feet and forepaws. These tattoos serve as a form of identification, which is crucial in preventing the birds from being captured by poachers or trappers. This identification also ensures that the birds cannot be sold illegally on the black market to Arabian falconers, who are the primary buyers of flerdler falcons from Russia. Furthermore, each bird has been fitted with a ring and assigned an individual identification number, enabling the tracking of their migration patterns and fate.

Since 2021, Sailugemsky National Park and partners have been working to restore the population of these falcons, which have nearly disappeared from the Altai mountains. From 2021 to 2023, the park and its partners released 31 young falcons into the Altai mountains using the hacking method. The Kosh-Agachsky district is a significant breeding ground for rare species of falcons. However, the species has experienced a decline in population over the past two decades due to various threats, including poaching for sale to falconers in Arab countries, climate change, and electrocution on unprotected power lines. The recovery of the Saker Falcon population in Altai is a challenging, multifaceted, and long-term endeavor.

In April, an offsite meeting of the section of experts on conservation and restoration of snow leopards and argalis in Russia was held in the Altai Republic with the support of the Irbis Association. The meeting was held within the framework of the federal project "Conservation of biological diversity and development of ecological tourism" of the National Project "Ecology."The participants were more than 40 specialists.

During the meeting, the experts reviewed the conservation strategy for the Altai mountain sheep (argali), summarized the results of snow leopard surveys in the Altai Republic in 2023, and discussed opportunities for cross-border cooperation between Russia and Mongolia in the conservation and study of the snow leopard.

With the support of the Association, the staff of the Sailugemsky National Park visited the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to exchange experiences in protecting snow leopards and other rare animal species. In addition, the Association provided material assistance to remote reserves in Kyrgyzstan. Specifically, 20 sets of field clothes were given to the staff of the Sarychat-Ertash reserve and the public reserve "Baiboosun Zharatylysh Korugu," and 25 sets of winter-summer clothes were given to the staff of the Sailugemsky National Park.

A working trip was organized for employees of the scientific department of Sailugemsky National Park to Mongolia. The purpose of the trip was to build transboundary cooperation with conservation organizations of neighboring Mongolia for the preservation of the snow leopard and its ecosystems.

With the support of the Association, specialists from Sailugem National Park visited Tajikistan to exchange experiences and establish partnership relations.Sailugem National Park and the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan concluded an agreement on cooperation in the field of study and conservation of the snow leopard and its habitats. The delegation visited the habitats of the species and got acquainted with effective measures for the conservation of the irbis in Tajikistan.

The Interregional Association "Irbis" also signed cooperation agreements with several conservation organizations:

• Ubsunur Basin Reserve (Mongolia);
• The Institute of Zoology and Parasitology named after E. E. Gubkin (Mongolia). N. Pavlovsky Institute of Zoology and Parasitology of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan;
• Sarychat-Eertash Reserve (Kyrgyzstan);
• Public Reserve "Baiboosun Zharatylysh korugu" (Kyrgyzstan).

The Irbis Association presented Russia’s inaugural full-length film about the snow leopard, a project initiated by Ali Uzdenov and supported by the Irbis Association. The film’s production spanned three years and was conducted in challenging high-mountainous terrain and subzero conditions, with strong winds. The film was directed by Vadim Vitovtsev, a native of the Altai Republic, and the voice-over was provided by Nikolai Drozdov and Konstantin Khabensky. The film features employees of the Sailugemsky National Park and snow leopards, and it combines footage from video cameras with full-time filming of animals in the wild.

The premiere of the film took place on October 26 in the concert hall "October" in Moscow, gathering partners and friends of the Association "Irbis." Attendees included not only residents of the Altai Mountains, but also a significant delegation of teachers and children from Karachay-Cherkessia, representatives of the Konstantin Khabensky Foundation and the "I am" Foundation, Moscow schoolchildren and teachers, environmental organizations, and agencies. Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko delivered the address of President Vladimir Putin to the guests of the premiere and the authors of the movie. The premiere screening of the movie was also held in Kazan with the participation of Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Russia’s first documentary research film "Master of the Altai Mountains"

Graffiti was discovered on the wall of the new entrance to the Moscow Zoo, located near the Barrikadnaya metro station. The image depicted several snow leopards in their natural habitat, the mountains, and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the irbis.

Graffiti image of a snow leopard near Barrikadnaya metro station in Moscow

The exhibition is dedicated to the snow leopard, the Altai Republic, and the Sailugemsky National Park, and has thus far attracted approximately 17,000 visitors. It was exhibited in the Tretyakov Gallery from October 2022 to January 2023 and was a unique project, a traveling exhibition for the whole family, timed to coincide with International Snow Leopard Day. A central objective of the exhibition was to raise awareness about the decline of the snow leopard population in Russia.

In preparation for the project, a research expedition was organized for female artists to the snow leopard habitat in collaboration with the Sailugem National Park. The results of this expedition were utilized to create objects for the exhibition.

Exhibition in the State Tretyakov Gallery “Snow Leopard. To See and Preserve”

With the support of the Association, more than 300 environmental education events were held in the Altai Republic and the Republic of Tyva.

A tour of the children’s choreographic play "Guardians of the Mountain Peaks" has been organized. The artists of the Stimul dance and wellness studio (Altai Republic) toured 9 municipalities of the Altai Republic with their performance, visited Moscow, and drew attention to the problem of preserving rare and endangered animal species among more than 2,500 people.

Sailugemsky National Park, at the invitation of the Association, took part in the thematic week of the All-Russian competition "Big Change", which traditionally involves up to 500 people. Lectures on the importance of snow leopard conservation inThe staff of the Association also read about Russia for the participants of the "Big Change" in Sochi.
Produced and common among local residents focus on youth and children leaflets and merchandise with symbol of the territory — a snow leopard: 3 500 icons, 200 soft toys, 2 000 themed stickers.

Eco-education for residents of Gorny Altai