A strategic session titled "Conservation of the Snow Leopard in Russia: Results, Plans, Prospects" was held on 23rd December 2025 at the National Centre "Russia" as part of the project "Platform for the Future: 100 Russian Projects. Ecology."

Leading experts from across the country discussed the key outcomes of conservation efforts for this Red Data Book predator and outlined plans for 2026.

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The snow leopard’s habitats in our country occupy the northernmost part of its global range. Around one hundred snow leopards live in Russia, and there are serious prospects for increasing the population of this Red Data Book predator. These results have been achieved largely thanks to systematic conservation efforts by the state,

noted Alexander Kozlov, Head of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, in his welcoming address to session participants.

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Environmental issues, nature protection, and the conservation of biological diversity, including rare species, are paramount tasks that require the unification of efforts from all levels of government, civil society, and business at the national level,

added Yevgeny Markov, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation, opening the session.

He also noted that the snow leopard is among the priority wildlife species of the federal project "Conservation of Biological Diversity and Development of Ecotourism" under the national project "Environmental Wellbeing." He further announced that the Ministry of Natural Resources plans to update the Strategy for Snow Leopard Conservation in the Russian Federation.

Snow leopard conservation efforts in the country received a significant boost with the establishment of the Interregional Association "Irbis" in 2021. The organisation carries out extensive activities aimed at combating poaching, supporting scientific research, developing international cooperation, and conducting numerous environmental education events. During the event, Ali Uzdenov, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Interregional Association "Irbis," presented Russia’s first catalogue of snow leopards.

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This is a unique publication containing ‘passports' for all 87 individuals recorded by camera traps in the Altai and Tyva Republics, Buryatia, and Krasnoyarsk Krai during the first all-Russian snow leopard census. It includes the stories, photographic materials, and behavioural data of all wild snow leopards known to scientists, as well as information about animals kept in zoos across the country,

noted Ali Uzdenov. In 2026, the Association plans to publish an encyclopedia about the snow leopard.

significant event of the year was the International Conference "Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard Across the World. Uniting Efforts," held in Kazan and organised by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, the Interregional Association "Irbis," and the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan. The event brought together representatives from all 12 snow leopard range states and 11 Russian regions, underscoring the importance of consolidating efforts to protect the snow leopard.

The importance of developing international cooperation in the conservation of rare species was emphasised by Amirkhan Amirkhanov, Advisor to the Head of Rosprirodnadzor.
Furthermore, the session repeatedly highlighted the significance of environmental education. In December 2025, the "Irbis" Association, together with the MAER media holding, launched an all-Russian information campaign in support of the snow leopard.

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In 23 regions of the country, materials about the snow leopard are being displayed on large media facades and digital screens, already drawing the attention of millions of people to the issue of the snow leopard’s decline in Russia. The campaign also includes an interactive educational quiz distributed in public spaces,

said Konstantin Mayor, General Director of the MAER media holding.

Svetlana Akulova, General Director of the Moscow Zoo, dedicated her address to the role of zoos in snow leopard conservation.

According to her, an animal exchange programme between zoos across the country has been developed to preserve the genetic diversity of the captive snow leopard population in Russia.

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In the state strategy for snow leopard conservation, zoos have three key roles: to serve as a reserve backup fund, maintaining a genetically diverse captive population; to function as scientific laboratories, studying the biology, physiology, and diseases of the snow leopard, which is nearly impossible to do in the wild; and to act as educational centres, fostering understanding and support for snow leopard conservation among the widest possible audience,

noted Svetlana Akulova.

Denis Malikov, Director of the Sailugemsky National Park (Altai Republic), reported that the region is home to the largest snow leopard population—54 individuals. To preserve it, active anti-poaching efforts are underway, a programme compensates local residents for livestock losses caused by snow leopard attacks, and a wide network of 214 camera traps has been established.

Irina Sannikova, Deputy Director for Development of the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve (Krasnoyarsk Krai), speaking on the results of snow leopard conservation work in the protected area, noted the effectiveness of the translocation programme. Under this programme, two snow leopards brought from Tajikistan were released into the reserve in 2018−2019. Thanks to this programme, 15 snow leopard cubs have been born in the reserve over the past seven years.