Experts estimate that there are about 2,000 Siberian ibex at the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve. From February 5 to 15 they examined three areas in the reserve’s Bolshie Ury area, which is a typical habitat for ibex. The study was conducted on the mountain slopes, where the amount of snow cover allows the animals to spend the winter more comfortably.

The count is part of the reserve’s Wild Cats of South Siberia project, which aims to study and protect the Pallas' cat, the lynx, and the snow leopard. The latter mainly preys on the ibex in winter, hence sustaining the ibex population is key to the conservation of the snow leopard species.