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Snow leopard in the Altai and Sayan mountains
Russia is the northern edge of the snow leopard's range; a small population lives in the Altai Republic, Tuva, Krasnoyarsk Krai and Buryatia. The Western Sayan group was once almost wiped out by poachers.
Open on the interactive globeA nationwide camera-trap survey identified at least 87 snow leopards: 54 in the Altai Republic, 15 in Tuva, 11 in Krasnoyarsk Krai and 7 in Buryatia. In August 2026 the Irbis association reported 94 animals. The increase is attributed to patrols, research and education; in the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve 15 cubs have been born in the wild after two snow leopards were translocated from Tajikistan.
Species
| Species | IUCN status | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthera uncia Panthera uncia | vulnerable (IUCN VU) | (2026) | ria.ru |
Needs
- anti-poaching
- habitat
Who is helping
Organisations that, according to their own publications, work on this event (1). Donations go directly to each organisation's own website - GLOBURNS does not handle payments.
- Sailugem National ParkA national park in south-eastern Altai protecting the snow leopard and the Altai argali. It co-organised the nationwide snow leopard survey with the Irbis association.
Sources
- ria.ru ria.ru/20260826/bars-2113326764.html
- nia.eco nia.eco/2025/12/24/110503/
- sailugem.ru sailugem.ru/index.php/1253-v-rossii-naschitali-minimum-87-snezhnykh-barsov
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_leopard
Seed record, before editorial verification. Every number links to its source; report errors on the Corrections page. Methodology · Corrections
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