A group of experts is carrying out research at the Sokhondo Biosphere Reserve on 4-9 April with the aim of receiving new scientific information about the snow leopard. The team expects to set apart a separate subspecies of the snow leopard – Trans-Baikal.

The research consists of three stages: interviewing residents who could have encountered snow leopards, installing trail cameras in places where snow leopards are likely to appear and collecting genetic information (studying tracks, scratch marks, etc.).

So far, trail cameras have not managed to spot any snow leopards at the reserve.

A distinguishing characteristic of the local snow leopard is its preference for areas with little or no snow.