Researchers at the Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve have carried out a spring count of Siberian ibex in the area from the Kara-Kem River to the southern ranger station Shugur. According to preliminary estimates, the population of about 1,600 ibex is stable.

“Over the last two years, we have recorded high numbers during the spring counts due to the fact that the winters brought little snow. This year, the snow cover in the northern section of the reserve was 20 to 60 cm and 5 to 20 cm in the south; there was no snow at all on some mountains in the southern part. Such conditions make it easier for the ibex to look for food and hide from predators,” said Roman Afanasyev, a senior researcher who heads the reserve’s research department.

The scientists will continue to monitor groups of animals during the entire summer and will take a visual count of them in October-November. Once the materials are processed, they will give an update on the final number of ibex. Siberian ibex are the main source of food for the snow leopard, a rare and endangered predator that lives in the reserve.