Scientists have confirmed that a minimum of 44−46 snow leopards inhabit the Altai Republic, comprising 33 adults and 11 cubs from a verified five litters.
These figures are the result of a population count organised from January to April this year by the Interregional Association "Irbis" and the Sailugemsky National Park.

Specialists emphasise that this year’s survey covered only approximately 68% of the species' potential habitats in the Republic and was complicated by challenging weather conditions.

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This year’s count in the Altai Republic was not designed to cover all snow leopard habitats. A large-scale assessment of numbers is only conducted during nationwide surveys, which we carried out last year, confirming the presence of at least 54 snow leopards in the Republic. This year, key habitats such as the Ukok Plateau, the western part of the Kuraisky Ridge, and the northern part of the Chikhacheva Ridge were not surveyed. Therefore, it is incorrect to speak of a population decline. This year, we focused solely on territories within the boundaries of the Sailugemsky National Park and adjacent areas

explained Denis Malikov, Director of the Sailugemsky National Park.

The count also involved staff from the Hunting Department of the Altai Republic’s Ministry of Natural Resources and members of the "On the Trail of the Snow Leopard" Volunteer Expedition. The "Irbis" Association had previously signed a cooperation agreement with this volunteer movement during the international conference "Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard Across the World. Uniting Efforts."
Scientists from the national park note that the most favourable situation for the snow leopard remains in the remote Argut River valley, home to the park’s "Argut" cluster. The leopard population here remains stable compared to last year, at 23−24 individuals: three new snow leopards have appeared, while two cubs from one female have become independent and established their own territories. In some areas, the density reaches up to 10 individuals—an excellent indicator for the region.
The 2025 survey, conducted from January to April, focused on areas covered by the national park’s camera trap network—in the Argut River basin and the Sailugem, Yuzhno-Chuysky, Kuraisky, and Chikhacheva ridges. It involved 14 personnel and 6 high-mobility vehicles. In total, 92 camera traps were checked, yielding 42,544 photos and videos.
In some instances, scientists relied not only on camera trap footage but also on direct sightings and tracks.

On the Yuzhno-Chuysky Ridge—the second most significant snow leopard habitat in Altai—9 individuals were recorded, including a female with cubs; last year, 10 were noted here. This area is accessible to hunters and continues to face anthropogenic pressure and disturbance.
On the Sailugem Ridge along the Russian-Mongolian border, 7−8 snow leopards were counted, including a female with two cubs also documented last year. The Sailugem Ridge serves as a transit corridor for snow leopards moving between Russia and Mongolia.
On the Kuraisky Ridge, unfortunately, only 3 individuals were recorded, down from 6 last year. A female with two cubs previously seen here was not observed. This area also experiences pressure from hunting.
Not all cameras on the Chikhacheva Ridge could be checked, but it is already clear the situation remains critical. No permanently resident snow leopards remain; only 2−3 individuals use the territory as a transit route for a few months each year. The predators are forced to seek areas with better prey availability, for instance, moving into Mongolia.
A comprehensive survey of the snow leopard across all its key habitats in the region is scheduled for next year as part of the nationwide population count.