Winter counts in the Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve have been completed. The counts are held annually to assess the size of mammal populations in the area.

Employees from the reserve’s research and protection units took part in the expedition. This time, it targeted large non-hibernating mammals. As many as 13 counts covering a total of 145 km of trails were carried out.

The counts lasted two days each. On the first day, a counter walked the entire length of a trail, erasing all cross tracks, and then returned the following day to record only the fresh imprints, describe them, identify the species and estimate the number of the animals who had “signed their autographs” in snow. A total of 14 animal species were identified during the counts.

The count data is currently being processed at a laboratory. The results will make clear whether the above species’ populations are tending to grow or to shrink. The data collected during the counts will give scientists more tips on the biology of each of the species and how to protect them.