Fresh footage of a female snow leopard with three cubs was retrieved during an expedition to the Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve involving representatives of the Khakassian Branch of the Russian Geographical Society. Born in 2022, the offspring survived a winter with heavy snowfalls and grew up while retaining their cub-like playfulness.

 “The cubs and their mother look healthy. During this season, snow leopards tend to stay in the mountain peaks. As the weather warms up, the snow leopards become more active, venturing out to explore new territories and learning how to hunt for food under their mother’s supervision,” Head of the Research Department Roman Afanasyev explained.

The female gave birth about ten months ago so by now, the cubs are almost fully-grown adults and, thanks to their thick, warm winter fur, they even appear larger. The young snow leopards eagerly explore their surroundings and play with each other. They have already been seen leaving their first territorial scratch marks.