A scientific convention on strategies for studying and protecting rare and endangered large mammals was held near Lake Itkul in Khakassia, southern Siberia, on 30 July – 2 August. The event was supported by the Khakassian Government, the Russian Geographical Society and the Khakassian and Sayano-Shushensky nature reserves.

The meeting was attended by representatives of specially protected natural areas and nature protection organisations from Moscow, Sochi, the Primorye Territory, Voronezh and Tver regions, the Republic of Buryatia, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Republic of Khakassia, the Kemerovo Region, etc. During training seminars, they exchanged best practices on preserving rare animals, shared information on the current situation in protected areas across Russia, and participated in workshops on using cutting-edge equipment to observe animals in their natural habitat.

During the event, scientists discussed, among other things, current methods of studying rare animals, as well as the current populations and preservation of rare felines, including the Amur leopard, the snow leopard and the Amur tiger.

A resolution was adopted at the end of the convention. The document covers the most urgent issues and outlines priorities regarding research and preservation of rare and endangered species of large mammals. Specifically, the event participants emphasised the need for establishing a permanent working group to study rare animal species, using state-of-the-art equipment to study and protect populations of rare animal species, creating a single methodological database on rare and endangered mammals, and promoting the government environmental monitoring system to evaluate population trends of rare mammals.

Furthermore, the final document expresses confidence that the convention strengthened cooperation and facilitated sharing best practices among scientists and young professionals involved in studying and protecting rare animal species, and recommends that the convention be a recurring, annual event.