In late January, Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve staff returned from their field research in the snow leopard habitat area. The work included collecting and processing the data captured by trail cameras, replacing batteries in recording devices, performing winter track monitoring, and surveying new territories. In the present stage, scientists are researching the habitat structure of the wild cat’s population, as well as their relocations and population on the Western Sayan mountain range. They are similarly working to improve their census methods. Their efforts also include researching the species’ reproductive biology and feeding habits, and the distribution and the population dynamics of this prey species and their interaction with other rival predators. The research's main goal is to improve its preservation strategy in Russia and to form recommendations.

Today, the Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve has the largest preserved group of snow leopards in Russia, according to the scientists. Earlier, the wild cat was considered little researched. However, knowledge about this animal has recently increased and greater experience has been acquired through its preservation.

Surveys of the animal’s tracks and trail camera photos have revealed interesting facts about the lives of the snow leopards inhabiting the reserve. A female leopard that gave birth to three cubs last summer was regularly photographed by trail cameras throughout the past year. This means that all three cubs managed to reach the age when they become independent of their mother.