On July 20-21, President Vladimir Putin was in the Republic of Tyva and the Krasnoyarsk Territory, where he visited the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve.

He was shown how trail cameras are used to monitor the migration of snow leopards and other rare animals.

Cameras were installed in the reserve as part of the Russian Geographical Society’s programme for the preservation and study of endangered species.

Reserve head Gennady Kiselyov told Mr Putin about the trail cameras and recorded data in his presence. The frames showed that there are always several snow leopards in the reserve. The cameras also recorded a leopard named Mongol, which scientists have recently adorned with a new Glonass satellite collar.

Vladimir Putin has approved the idea of establishing a snow leopard breeding nursery at the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve. He said that he would continue supporting the programme for the preservation and study of snow leopards.

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Gennady Kiselyov, director of the Sayano-Shushensky State Natural Biosphere Reserve, on Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, and Sergei Shoigu’s visit

This visit matters a lot for us. The country’s leaders do not often visit the reserve. It lies in a remote area difficult to access. Above all, Mr Putin reviewed the progress in the implementation of the Snow Leopard programme. We all, Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev included, followed the animals’ tracks, looked at the scratches and areas marked by the leopards, and we took a look at the trail cameras. The photos showed that during our visit a snow leopard was tracked not far from our camp. It was not scared off by the number of people nearby.  

A law was passed recently that introduces criminal liability with a maximum penalty of seven years in prison for the capture and trade of wild animals listed in the Red Data Book. The law was timely and extremely necessary. Protection is labour-consuming. We should consistently improve and upgrade the infrastructure of the protected area, acquire new technical means and equipment, including for remote observation of the area. We discussed that briefly, and I think all our concerns will be taken into account.

President of the Russian Geographical Society Sergei Shoigu was with us, too. Last year, the Russian Geographical Society allocated 13.5 million roubles for the implementation of our projects. This year, an agreement for 5.8 million roubles has been signed. This is not a large sum, but it is still a good help. We are grateful for this support. And they have again made sure that the funding goes exclusively on the goals stipulated by the programme.