The annual all-Russian survey is supported by the Interregional Association "Irbis" and coordinated by the Sailugemsky National Park. The survey is conducted in accessible habitats with the objective of tracking changes in the number of irbis in key groups. The first stage of the survey was completed in the Altai Republic, in the Argut River valley, where the Argut cluster of Sailugemsky National Park is located. During this stage, scientists obtained unique footage of snow leopards vocalizing, a crucial aspect of their behavior. In this particular cluster, a record-breaking gathering of 20 individuals was documented in 2023, marking the largest aggregation observed in Russia. A survey is scheduled to be conducted this year in four regions of the snow leopard’s habitat: the Republics of Altai, Tyva, Buryatia, and Krasnoyarsk Krai, from February to March. This plan was tentatively agreed upon by the participants of the interregional meeting "Experience of studying and preserving the snow leopard in Russia, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan," held with the support of the Interregional Association "Irbis" at the end of last year.

Full-scale counting of the number and condition of the snow leopard has been taking place in Russia since 2015. These specialists adhere to a unified methodology, which was formally endorsed by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation in 2018 as part of the country’s Snow Leopard Monitoring Program. To monitor the population of irbis (Irbis ursus), specialists employ a variety of methods, including the use of photographic and video traps, tracking via animal tracks, and molecular genetic analysis of biological samples (fur, feces). Concurrently, the population size of the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), the primary prey species of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), is being enumerated. The initial stage of the census was hindered by natural and climatic conditions, with snow accumulation reaching a depth of one and a half meters in certain locations. Additionally, navigating rivers posed challenges due to incomplete ice formations, necessitating the construction of temporary bridges by expedition participants.

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In the initial phase of the study, a team of 11 researchers, divided into three groups, conducted an extensive fieldwork. The team’s primary objective was to assess the population dynamics of the local goat population by checking 39 traps and collecting data on the number of goats present in the area. Notably, on one occasion, the team encountered a fresh snow leopard trail, which they followed for a distance of 6 kilometers along the river valley. After this, the irbis proceeded to ascend the slope. This was made possible due to the International Irbis Association’s provision of air transportation for the group, a service that was instrumental in overcoming the challenges posed by the prevailing weather conditions. In addition to the analysis of camera traps, the team successfully installed four new cameras, thereby establishing a comprehensive visual record of the area.

Denis Gulyaev, Deputy Director of Sailugemsky National Park

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the irbis, is a species that inhabits the mountainous terrain of the Altai-Sayan mountain range, which is considered the cradle of civilization of the Eurasian continent. The irbis is of significant ecological importance, as its presence and conservation are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem within its habitat. The population of snow leopards in Russia is estimated to be between 70 and 90 individuals, with half of these residing in the Altai Republic (where 43 snow leopards were recorded in 2022) and 24 in the territory of the Sailugemsky National Park.

It is noteworthy that the snow leopard has become the second most prevalent species of large cat after the Amur tiger, for which the effectiveness of conservation measures is planned to be increased. The unified system of snow leopard population counting was first adopted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation in 2021, and the methodology for counting the number of snow leopards and assessing the state of snow leopard groups was developed in 2020.