Dina Matyukhina, a researcher from the Kedrovaya Pad Reserve who studies the Far Eastern leopard and the Amur tiger at reserves in the Primorye Territory, visited the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve. She and Sergei Istomov, Deputy Director for Research at the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve, followed the trails of snow leopards, studied the traces of its activity and discussed advanced methods for studying feline species.

The exchange of methodology in operating trail cameras at various specially protected nature territories proved mutually interesting. Trail cameras are installed in the Primorye Territory on a seasonal basis. At the same time, these cameras operate all year round at the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve. Various approaches are also being used to select installation locations. The specialists were interested in the effectiveness of the “photo sessions” at the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve. The researchers will be able to use any successful automated camera methodology.

The conversation between the scientists was mutually useful because, aside from the technical details, they were united by the desire to find ways to stabilise and expand the populations of such rare animals as the snow leopard and the Far Eastern leopard, which inhabit Russia.