Specialists have completed a spring-time counting of the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica) population in Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve. This annual project is conducted along a stretch of the coast between the Kara-Kem River and the reserve’s southern boundary. Earlier this year, 60 groups of these animals were recorded in preset areas, and their total number is estimated at 795.

The counting is done in the early morning hours when the animals, mostly females and their offspring, come down to drink water at a local reservoir. Researchers ride a speedboat at 15-20 kph, 100 to 150 metres offshore and count all the animals they can see along the waterfront. They use binoculars to specify the animals’ age and gender.

The spring-time counting project launches a fieldwork cycle to study this species of hoofed animal. Researchers will also count the ibexes on open mountain slopes, and they will conduct another counting project in autumn. After analysing the results of all the observations, it will be possible to estimate the entire Siberian ibex population. The ibex observation data will also help with studies of the snow leopards roaming Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve because these rare predators mostly prey on Siberian ibexes.