In 2024, a coordinated survey of snow leopard population sizes and status will be conducted in four regions of their habitat: the Republics of Altai, Tyva, Buryatia, and Krasnoyarsk Krai.

This plan was tentatively agreed upon by the participants of the interregional meeting "Experience in the study and conservation of the snow leopard in Russia, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan," held with the support of the Interregional Association "Irbis" on September 18 in the visit center of the national park "Sailugemsky" in the village of Kosh-Agach, Altai Republic.

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The initial full-scale census of snow leopards was conducted in 2015 in the Republics of Altai, Tyva, and Buryatia. Over time, the participants have gained valuable experience, refined their methodologies, and identified a group of snow leopards in the southern Krasnoyarsk region within the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve. Consequently, it is rational to initiate a census in four regions simultaneously, a plan that has been meticulously devised for the forthcoming winter season.

Denis Malikov, Director of Sailugem National Park

During the meeting, specialists from protected areas of Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and four regions of irbis habitat in Russia convened to discuss methodologies for snow leopard censusing, research and protection of the elusive predator, and the exchange of experiences in the collection and processing of scientific data.

On the agenda for today is a visit to the South Chuysky Ridge, where an expedition to study the irbis will be conducted until September 27, with support from the Interregional Association "Irbis".

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The international meeting and expedition serve as an effective platform for the exchange of experiences and the practical application of skills in the protection and study of the snow leopard. Employees of Sailugem National Park have previously participated in expeditions in Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, and there has been a long-standing desire to extend invitations to foreign colleagues to visit Altai. The habitat of the snow leopard in the Kosh-Agachsky district of the Altai Republic, where the Sailugemsky National Park is located, is extensive. There are still unexplored corners, and the experience of colleagues from other countries and regions of Russia will increase the efficiency of irbis conservation in Altai, and Altai’s experience will help colleagues. Colleagues will have a fresh look at our work, and we will try out in the fields together the best practices of our colleagues, other approaches to the protection of irbis. This is the key to successful conservation work.

Denis Malikov, Director of Sailugem National Park

The participants of the meeting and field work included scientists from the following institutions: Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Sailugemsky National Park, the Directorate of Specially Protected Natural Areas of Altai (Altai Republic), Sayano-Shushensky Reserve (Krasnoyarsk Krai), regional public environmental organization "Asia-Irbis" (Irkutsk Oblast and Buryatia Republic), and Ubsunurskaya Basin Reserve (Tyva Republic).
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Sailugemsky National Park bestowed gifts on each participant from the Interregional Association "Irbis," including camera traps, batteries, memory cards, radios, tents, and uniforms designed for fieldwork.

The Interregional Association "Irbis" was formally established in June 2021 with the primary objective of preserving two species of animals that are of particular significance to Russia: the snow leopard (Irbis) and the Altai mountain sheep (Argali). The Chairman of the General Meeting, Uzdenov Ali Mussaevich, is a member of the Russian Geographical Society, Chairman of the Association "Wildlife of the Steppe," Chairman of the General Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the National Park "Sailugemsky," and founder and trustee of the Center for the Maintenance of the Population of Rare Species of Animals "Altai-Ecosphere."

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In Kyrgyzstan, the habitats of the irbis are similar to Altai. In the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve, there are 14 staff members who have consistently encountered challenges in communicating effectively with one another in the field. We extend our profound gratitude to the Irbis Association for their gracious invitation to Altai and their invaluable support, which included the provision of radios and other essential equipment.

Omurbek Elmir, Inspector of the Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve