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Scientists say only a few dozen snow leopards are left. A team of Russian scientists are learning more about the snow leopard in order to protect and save them from extinction. Here’s more from our correspondents.
These unique images were caught on camera, set up in the mountains to the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The images show a female snow leopard with three cubs.
Today in Russia, experts believe that only a few dozen snow leopards are left.
It's necessary to provide protected areas to save them from poachers. And for this purpose, it's important to find the migration routes and habitat of these cats.
To learn more about the snow leopard, scientists of the Russian Geographic Society have developed an innovative method for monitoring it. It is called “Irbis”.
[Sergey Istomov, Scientist]:
"First and foremost, it is to save the animal. As you know, when it dwells on the reserve, it's more or less protected."
The scientists film animals with a hidden camera, study their tracks, explore DNA and observe them from a helicopter or by satellite.
Previously only one of these methods was used because of the lack of resources. As a result, the study was incomplete.
Today snow leopards dwell in three reserves. They are Sayano-Shushensky, Khakas and Uvs Nuur Basin.
According to researchers, the snow leopards are now doing well in their protected habitats.
Another reserve will open. “Pozarym”, located in the republic of Khakassia, will serve to link all the snow leopard habitats in Russia.
[Victor Nepomniaschy, Director of Reserve "Khakas"]:
"We'll be able to secure the migration corridor and retained Irbises."
In addition to creating protected areas, the researchers plan to educate locals on snow leopards and why it's so important to save them.
NTD News, Moscow, Russia