Khakassky Reserve researchers prepare for winter scientific expedition

Khakassky Reserve researchers prepare for winter scientific expedition

24 January 2014

In late January 2014, research staff jointly with the Khakassky Reserve's conservation department plan to go on a scientific expedition to the Pozarym Federal Nature Reserve, which is located in the Tashtypsky District of Khakassia. The expedition will be held as part of the project Restoration of the Snow Leopard Population in the Western Sayan Mountains, sponsored by the Russian Geographical Society. The project involves the Khakassky and Sayano-Shushensky nature reserves.

 

This winter expedition is aimed at studying rare species of animals, especially the snow leopard, the Siberian ibex, the forest reindeer, and others.

 

To carry out the research, the Pozarym Reserve has already been equipped with special trail cameras for monitoring animals. The scientists will evaluate the placement and technical condition of existing cameras, install photo equipment in other places, and analyse the photos produced by the cameras.

 

The expedition also seeks to catalogue winter paths used by the animals. Judging by the tracks in the snow, the researchers will study the winter activity of the reserve's inhabitants. This is a useful way to determine the range of species present, as well as their population size and density at the test site.

 

The expedition to the Pozarym Reserve will last until late February. In addition to the reserve's staff researchers, two young biology graduate students from Tomsk State University will participate.