Researchers and Nature Reserve staff at the Sayano-Shushenskoye State Nature Reserve checked camera traps installed as part of the comprehensive research programmes to study and monitor snow leopards. It emerged that on April 25th and May 16th the cameras captured images of the snow leopard Mongol. Images obtained show Mongol actively marking his territory, behaviour typical of a full grown male. Images of a pregnant female and another young male snow leopard have also been captured.

Researchers began tracking Mongol with the help of a GLONASS transponder collar last March, during Prime Minister Putin's visit to Khakassia. Signals transmitted since then confirm that Mongol has not ventured beyond his home range.