The Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve hosted a scientific conference on the preservation of rare and endangered animal species. Experts from all Russian regions attended the event to discuss the main and latest methods, approaches and strategies to studying and preserving Russia’s rare mammals, including the Amur tiger, the Far Eastern leopard, the polar bear, the manul and the snow leopard.

The event was part of the 4^th International Forum Historical and Cultural Heritage as a R
esource of Socio-Cultural Development and was sponsored by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Russian Geographical Society and the Government of the Republic of Khakassia.

Conference participants noted the importance of the conservation of endangered mammal species in Russia. Most of them can be found in only a few countries and are in need of special protection. Therefore, it is vital that they should be studied meticulously. For this purpose, scientists, state officials, businesses and public organisations are jointly drafting long-term nature conservation programmes, which are subsequently implemented by federal agencies in cooperation with numerous other bodies.

Meeting participants repeatedly noted that it had become possible to achieve positive results in protecting rare animal species only by pooling efforts in every area, including a scientific approach towards animal conservation issues, tougher penalties for violations of nature conservation legislation, as well as environmental education projects.