Snow leopards were counted in Buryatia. The census of predators in Russia has been completed, the Irbis interregional association reported.
In February and March, scientists, volunteers and specialists from 4 regions of the country (the Republic of Altai, Tyva and Buryatia, as well as the Krasnoyarsk Territory) conducted expeditions in places where snow leopards live. At this time, the breeding season of snow leopards begins, so they actively move and leave many traces, which helps to collect accurate information about their numbers. Thus, the results of the count showed that there are 87 snow leopards in the country.
Meanwhile, only 7 individuals were found in Buryatia. The most snow leopards were recorded in the Altai Republic, where 54 individuals were spotted, including 8 females and 18 kittens. In addition, 15 individuals were noted in the Republic of Tyva, where there are 3 females with 7 kittens.
The results of the “census” of snow leopards pleased experts, since previously there were no more than 75 snow leopards in Russia.
