An expanded meeting of the expert panel on conservation and restoration of the species — Snow Leopard in Russia: Results of the 2026 All-Russian Census, Monitoring Outcomes, and Research Prospects — took place in the village of Shushenskoye.
Specialists from specially protected natural areas highlighted common threats to snow leopards across all regions:

Poaching, particularly the illegal trapping of musk deer using snares that also ensnare snow leopards.
Decline in ungulate populations — the snow leopard’s main prey — due to habitat destruction and poaching.
Conflicts between herders and the rare predator, as snow leopards attack livestock in Tuva and Altai.

Representatives from the Krasnoyarsk flora and fauna park Roev Ruchey shared their experience in treating and rehabilitating wild snow leopard individuals in distress, as well as creating conditions for rehabilitation centers and snow leopard`s reintroduction programs.
Participants expressed gratitude to the Irbis Association, whose ideological inspirer and founder is Ali Uzdenov.

Today, the Irbis Association supports nature conservation organizations in all regions of the snow leopard’s habitat by providing equipment and technical resources, assisting with expedition logistics, facilitating community outreach with local populations, supporting zoos.
This assistance helps preserve nature despite shortages of specialists, qualified personnel, and resources needed to study and protect the snow leopard in hard-to-reach habitats.
Experts presented regional monitoring results for the irbis across Russia. However, the overall population figures and final census results will be announced at a later date, once the reports have been finalised.
The organizers thank the Living Nature and World Foundation for their support in hosting the event, Gennady Kiselev, Director of the Joint Directorate, Irina Sannikova, Member of the Irbis Association’s Board of Trustees and Deputy Director of the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve.