In the context of the current celebration of Science Day in our nation, the initiative to enumerate snow leopards will commence within the confines of the national park. This endeavor, which involves the meticulous documentation of these elusive predators within the vast expanse of the Far North, will be undertaken within the boundaries of the park and in adjacent regions. The Snow Leopard National Park (SPNA) encompasses an area of over 118,000 hectares, a territory that, while seemingly expansive to humans, is minuscule in comparison to the population of irbis. The range of a single dominant male can extend over an area of more than 100 square kilometers, underscoring the necessity for large-scale habitat conservation. This strategy is crucial to ensure the irbis population does not face competition during the mating season and foraging for food.

During the initial phase of the expedition, scientists will undertake a comprehensive survey of the Argut cluster, an inaccessible region of the national park. This area was identified as a key aggregation point for irbis during the 2022 surveys, with a population of 18 individuals. In addition to examining camera trap data, ecologists will assess the ibex population’s nutritional base through visual inspections of key feeding areas. The specialists intend to complete all tasks within a span of one month. We extend our best wishes to the team for a successful and productive undertaking, and we eagerly anticipate their return with valuable findings. The Irbis Association, represented by Uzdenov Ali Mussaevich, has collaborated as a partner in the snow leopard surveys conducted in 2023.