On August 26 – 31, 2013, the first Youth Research and Practical Summer School of the Russian Geographical Society opened in the village of Abramtsevo in the Moscow Region. Young specialists had an opportunity to attend lectures and seminars united by a common topic, “Geography in the Modern World: Problems and Prospects,” and take part in themed excursions and field training.

Sergei Istomov, Senior Fellow at the Sayano-Shushensky State Nature Reserve, delivered a lecture on the conservation of large mammals. Part of his speech was devoted to the Wild Cats of South Siberia project. This project for the study and conservation of rare species of South Siberian cats – the snow leopard, manul, and lynx – is a major environmental project of the Russian Geographical Society. It was launched in Sayano-Shushensky State Nature Reserve, the Khakassky Reserve and the Pozarym State Reserve in 2012.

The project aims to modernize the infrastructure of Protected Natural Areas, conduct field expeditions and purchase modern recording and monitoring equipment. In addition, specialists study the animals' eating habits, monitor its food supply and conduct zoological and veterinary examinations of natural populations of wild cats.