The objective of the conservation expedition is to ensure the preservation of the snow leopard within the northern border of its species' Russian and global range, specifically in the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve. The reserve’s operations have received support from the Interregional Association "Irbis."The fieldwork is scheduled to commence in the coming days. State inspectors from the Joint Directorate of the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve and the Shushensky Bor National Park intend to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the reserve’s territory, traversing a maximum distance of 150 kilometers within the snow leopard’s habitat in the Sayan Mountains, situated in the southern region of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. This area is recognized as the northernmost boundary of the species' global range. The northernmost distribution of the irbis (Ursus arctos) is no longer known to extend northward, and there have been no documented sightings of this species in that region.

State inspectors of the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve have nearly completed preparations for an extensive exploratory expedition. Conservationists intend to patrol the southern and central parts of the reserve on foot and on horseback. Staff at the Reserve observe that equestrian patrols permit the exploration of more extensive areas, facilitate navigation of challenging terrain, and allow for travel over greater distances than during foot patrols.
State inspectors of the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve Task Force are tasked with the preparation of equines for the route, the repair of equipment and harness, including saddles and saddlebags, the riding of horses, and the shoeing of horses. In the event of a disaster during the raid, the aforementioned state inspectors are also responsible for the provision of medical assistance to horses and the treatment of wounds. The aforementioned skills are of the utmost importance when working far from civilization and qualified veterinary care.