The interdepartmental brigade, whose primary responsibility is  snow leopard protection, was established in the Ust-Koksinsky District in the Altai Republic. The brigade operates near the Katun Nature Reserve where snow leopards live.

The need for the brigade stemmed from the fact that the various environment protection services operating in the region lacked qualified specialists. As a result, enforcement of natural protection laws was inadequate.  

“The objective of the anti-poaching brigade is to better protect rare species, including the snow leopard and Siberian musk deer, which are listed in the Red Data Book,” the reserve’s press centre announced.

The brigade conducted its first raid between February 14-20. Over 60 rope traps were located and taken down. “The raid’s objectives included finding violators of wildlife protection laws in rare species’ habitat, and ending the practice of setting rope traps in the Ust-Koksinsky District, the snow leopards’ habitat. It is common knowledge that poaching reduces the population of this rare predator,” brigade experts noted.