Snow leopard of the Russian Federation. “Snow Leopard of Russia” is a new honorary title in Russian mountaineering. The snow leopard is a mysterious predator of Asia. Threats and solutions

« Snow Leopard Russia" - new honorary title in Russian mountaineering

source: PAR

In order to become the owner of an honorary title, you must visit 10 famous Russian peaks.

The idea of ​​a new honorary title was proposed last year by Alexey Slotyuk, president of the Moscow FAiS.After several months of discussion, the FAR Board approved the Regulations on the rank and the design of the badge.

In order to become the “Snow Leopard of Russia” you need to visit 10 Russian peaks: Elbrus, Dykhtau, Koshtan-Tau, Mizhirgi, Pushkin Peak, Dzhangitau, Shkhara, Kazbek, Klyuchevskaya Sopka and Belukha.

The signs themselves will be made of silver and have a serial number. A ceremonial celebration of the first “Snow Leopards of Russia” is planned to be held in December at the annual December conference of the FAR.

Start new program“Snow Leopard of Russia” was commented by its initiator - President of the Moscow FAiS Alexey Slotyuk:

- Why did this idea arise and what is its meaning?

People go to the mountains and many of them do it not for the sake of sports titles and participation in competitions, but for other reasons of their own. And many of those who go to the mountains and climb to the peaks for pleasure set high goals for themselves, for example, to climb the highest peaks of all continents.
There are many interesting and beautiful mountains in our country. Climbing routes to some mountains, such as Kazbek or Klyuchevskaya Sopka, are relatively simple. On others, such as Pushkin Peak or Mizhirgi, these routes are difficult.
We considered that the idea of ​​climbing 10 Russian peaks, 8 of which are above 5 thousand meters, would be of interest to both Russian and foreign climbers.

Well, it's not like that simple program it turns out. Climbing Elbrus and climbing the Bezengi five-thousanders are completely different in difficulty?

- So it’s an honorary title. And honor must be earned. A climber who climbs all these 10 peaks, in our opinion, will deservedly bear this honorary title.

- How will people confirm their ascents? What documents are needed for this?

We tried to make the review procedure as liberal as possible so that anyone could take part in this program. The Federation will consider any documents confirming the ascents. We have enough experts and connections in the climbing world to verify the authenticity of the papers if necessary.

Will there be any confusion between the holders of the title “Conqueror” highest peaks USSR", which was also associated with the title "Snow Leopard" and the holders of the new title?

- We discussed this situation in the process of preparing documents and we repeatedly consulted with mountaineering veterans.
The title “Snow Leopard of Russia” is a new official honorary title established in domestic mountaineering for climbing Russian peaks.
The Euro-Asian Mountaineering Association is currently awarding the title “Conqueror of the Highest Peaks of the USSR”. And this is now an international title, the holders of which undoubtedly deserve great respect for climbing Asian seven-thousanders.
I hope that our new title will take root and become as respected and famous as “Conqueror of the Highest Peaks of the USSR.”

- And there already is preliminary information about the first potential “Snow Leopards of Russia”?

- We don’t have such information yet, but I hope that after this news becomes known to the general public, there will be such lucky people. And those who have 1-2 mountains left to complete have the whole summer ahead.

- What steps are expected to further development this program?

In the near future, we will produce posters and brochures with information about the program, which will be sent to the relevant regions of the Caucasus, Altai and Kamchatka.

In the future, for the convenience of climbers, a special certificate will be produced where they can enter information about their ascents. And for connoisseurs, badges will be made for climbing each of the 10 peaks.

The sign "Snow Leopard of Russia" will be made of silver. The layout of the sign on a scale of 1:1 and 1:3 is shown in the figure (the author of the sign sketch is Irina Morozova):

Approved by decision
Board of the Russian Mountaineering Federation
Ave. No. 15 dated 02/06/2010

POSITION
on the honorary title of the Russian Mountaineering Federation
"Snow Leopard of Russia"

1. The title “Snow Leopard of Russia” is awarded to a person who has fulfilled the standard with the presentation of a certificate and license plate.

2. Documents confirming compliance with the standard are submitted to the Russian Mountaineering Federation. The decision to award the title “Snow Leopard of Russia” is made by the FAR Board and documented in the appropriate Protocol.
The document with a record of the ascent must be certified by the signature of the FAR mountaineering instructor indicating the number of his certificate or by another person responsible for organizing the ascent.

3. The FAR keeps records of the awarded titles “Snow Leopard of Russia”. Mountaineering Federation

Russia may instruct the regional federation to prepare documents for awarding the title “Snow Leopard of Russia” and recording the assigned titles.

4. The standard for conferring the title “Snow Leopard of Russia” is to completeclimbing ten peaks located on the territory Russian Federation:

Elbrus (5642 meters)

Dykhtau (5204 meters)

Koshtan-Tau (5151 meters)

Mizhirgi (5025 meters)

Pushkin Peak (5100 meters)

Dzhangitau (5085 meters)

Shkhara (5068 meters)

Kazbek (5034 meters)

Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4688 meters)

Belukha (4506 meters)

5. Decisions on issues not specified in these Regulations are made by the Board of the FAR.

Belukha

Dzhangi-tau

Dykhtau

Elbrus

Kazbek

Koshtan-tau

Klyuchevskaya Sopka

Pushkin Peak

The snow leopard, also called the snow leopard, is the only species of large cat that has been able to adapt to the harsh conditions in the highlands. The snow leopard is a representative of the top of the ecological pyramid in the mountain ranges Central Asia. He is often called the master of the mountains, because he is a permanent inhabitant of this area. Many experts claim that this species of cat has survived to this day due to its habitat in hard-to-reach places. It is very interesting where the snow leopard lives and what it eats. Indeed, today the number of representatives of this type of cat is extremely small.

Appearance of a snow leopard

Externally, the snow leopard is an incredibly beautiful and graceful predator. This is a rather large cat, with an ash-gray, sometimes brownish color and a bright ring-shaped pattern of dark spots located throughout the body. The snow leopard differs from the leopard in its ash-colored fur and long tail, which in its length is almost equal to the body of the animal. In addition, unlike its brother, the snow leopard has thicker and more luxuriant fur. The length of the animal, as a rule, reaches 170-190 cm, and its weight ranges from 50-70 kg. Males are always larger than females.

Regardless of where the snow leopard lives, its body size and color remain the same. Although some experts are inclined to claim the existence of several subspecies of snow leopards, which appeared due to different geographical habitats.

Saving a view

Today it is very easy to find out where the snow leopard lives. After all, this species has long been listed in the Red Book, since there are extremely few habitats left. This unpleasant phenomenon is due to the fact that in modern realities there are too many different threats to the life of the snow leopard. For example, in Russia, where the snow leopard lives, the species is gradually being destroyed by herders and hunters, as well as by the deteriorating condition environment due to the development of the mining industry and transport infrastructure. In addition, the number of species is significantly affected by a reduction in the number of food items.

Fortunately, over the past few years, in the areas where the snow leopard lives, the number of animals has stabilized. The situation has improved thanks to the discovery of Sailyugemsky national park in Altai. True, the risk of extinction of the species still remains quite high. In the places where the snow leopard lives in Russia, you can count approximately 70 representatives of the snow leopard, most of which live in Altai. Compared to 2002, the number of animals in Russia has now decreased by almost 3 times. This is due to the hunting of poachers who catch snow leopards in order to obtain derivatives used in oriental medicine.

Threat of species extinction

The once unified snow leopard population today is represented by only a third, which exists only as unstable pockets. Nowadays, females who are capable of reproducing are found only in a few areas where the snow leopard lives. In fact, a group of animals in which there are at least 3 adult females can be considered complete. So, unfortunately, despite some stabilization of the situation in Russia, the snow leopard species today is under threat of extinction.

Snow leopard breeding

This animal is characterized by a rather low reproduction rate - the female snow leopard does not give birth to kittens every year, unlike most of her relatives. The rut occurs in the spring, and babies are born at the end of the season or early summer. IN mating season The male attracts the female with a special purr. After fertilization, the snow leopard leaves the female. Gestation for snow leopards lasts approximately 95-110 days, and litters typically consist of 2-3 kittens.

Before the appearance of her baby, the female sets up a kind of den in some hard-to-reach place, most often in rock gorges. And in order to insulate a well-maintained house, the snow leopard rips out shreds of wool from its body and covers the floor of the den with them. Leopards are born completely blind and deaf, their weight reaches half a kilogram, and in the first month the babies feed on mother's milk. In the middle of the season, the born offspring already go on their first hunt. Snow leopards become sexually mature at the age of 2-3 years.

Predator habitat

Where does the snow leopard live? The snow leopard is a territorial animal that leads a solitary lifestyle, despite the fact that females raise their offspring for quite a long time. These animals make their lairs in rock crevices or caves. Each animal lives within a certain area, which it chooses individually. It is not common for the snow leopard to show aggression towards representatives of its species on its own territory.

One or more females may live in the habitat of an adult male. The snow leopard marks its area different ways. Where is the snow leopard found? The predator often walks around its territory, visiting camps of wild ungulates and pastures. The animal moves along the same route, so in some places it appears several times throughout the day.

Irbis is considered the only representative cat family, which has adapted to the harsh conditions of the highlands of Central Asia. Due to the inaccessibility of its habitats, the snow leopard still remains the least studied animal. Today the snow leopard is a representative of the Red Book International Union and has the status of an endangered species in all countries where it lives. There are 12 such countries in total: China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. IN total There are no more than 4 thousand snow leopards on the planet.

Snow leopard in Russia

In Russia, the snow leopard is found in the north of its current range. Only a few groups of snow leopards live in the mountains of the Altai-Sayan region. In addition, the predator can be found in Buryatia, Khakassia, Tyva, Transbaikalia, Irkutsk region and Krasnoyarsk region. According to experts, it is in Russia that the northernmost population group of snow leopards lives. The number of this species in Russia is approximately 2% of total number snow leopards in the world. It can be said that the survival of predators in Altai largely depends on genetic and spatial connections with animals in Mongolia and China.

Snow cats in Kazakhstan

The places where the snow leopard lives in Kazakhstan are distinguished by the richness and diversity of flora and fauna. Here, the snow leopard is found in open forests, among rocks and in alpine meadows, where colonies of marmots and pastures of ungulates are located. The highlands of Kazakhstan have extremely complex terrain with many cliffs, stones, precipices, gorges and snow-covered slopes. In these places there is an increased risk of avalanches and mudflows, which is why people rarely appear here. For the most part, it was thanks to this factor that the snow leopard was not exterminated in these parts. Other species of large cat animals that lived in more accessible places became extinct even before the creation of the Red Book.

Character and lifestyle of the snow leopard

In its territory, the snow cat occupies the top of the food pyramid and experiences virtually no competition from other predators. A leopard can easily cope with prey that is three times its weight. As a rule, the animal hunts alone at night, carefully crawling up to the animal from behind cover or waiting for prey in ambush, hiding behind a rock. When the distance between the predator and potential prey is reduced to several tens of meters, the leopard emerges from cover and quickly overtakes the animal with large leaps. If the snow leopard misses, it chases its prey for a maximum of 300 meters or does not chase it at all.

In the second half of the year, snow leopards regularly hunt in families: male, female and offspring. In general, snow leopards hunt only on their own territory - exceptional need can force an animal to move to a foreign territory. In times of famine, predators may hunt nearby settlements, even attacking pets. However, the main food sources for snow leopards are considered to be hares, mountain goats, wild boars, snowcocks, rams, marmots and roe deer. Leopards eat grass and other greens exclusively in the summer as a supplement to their meat diet.

In general, for snow cats, hunting is not only a way of obtaining food, but also a kind of entertainment. The snow leopard is capable of tracking down a potential victim for hours, while practically not moving. Leopards have almost no enemies, so they are not at all afraid of hunting in the dark.

Only a wild wolf can cause trouble for a leopard, but even such an animal is quite easy for a snow leopard to cope with. For people, the snow cat does not pose any threat: having noticed a person, the predator simply tries to move away unnoticed. True, in times of famine, cases of animal attacks were still recorded.

Compared to its other feline counterparts, the snow leopard has a completely friendly character. You can even train him. In addition, tamed snow leopards love to play and spend time with people. When a predator feels good, he, like domestic cats, purrs. The leopard also knows how to growl, like his famous brothers, although he does not do it very loudly.

Conservation of snow leopard (irbis) and Altai populations mountain sheep(argali) in the Altai-Sayan ecoregion are the most important tasks for WWF. Both species are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation as endangered. The population status of these species reflects the overall “health” of the ecosystem, so they can be called indicator species.

The snow leopard is a mysterious predator of Asia. Threats and solutions.

Snow leopard (irbis) - mysterious and mysterious beast- still remains one of the most poorly studied feline species in the whole world. Very little is known about the biology and ecology of this rare predator, and its number within the current range is determined very tentatively. For many Asian peoples, this animal is a symbol of strength, nobility and power; Asian folklore is full of stories and legends about this elusive predator. Few people manage to see the snow leopard in wildlife, much more often you can find traces of its vital activity - scratches, predator scratches in the trees, fur, excrement, urinary tracts on stones.

The snow leopard is listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and has the status of a rare or endangered species in all 12 countries where it lives: Russia, Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Bhutan.

According to WWF experts, in the Russian part of the Altai-Sayan ecoregion there are about 70-90 snow leopards, while there are no more than 4,000 individuals of the rare predator on the planet.

© Flickr.com / Linda Stanley

Camera traps in Tuva captured a charismatic predator © Alexander Kuksin

Journalists are rarely taken to these places. Even trained people find it difficult to walk on the “land of the snow leopard” © M. Paltsyn

Snow leopard track in the Argut River valley, Mountain Altai, March 2012 © Sergey Spitsyn

Festival “Land of the Snow Leopard” in Tuva © T. Ivanitskaya

What is WWF doing to save the snow leopard?

Back in 2002, WWF Russia experts prepared a document approved by the Ministry natural resources Russian Federation. The document was developed taking into account the very limited experience of studying and protecting the species in Russia. The number of snow leopards in Russia, according to the Strategy, was estimated by WWF experts at 150-200 individuals, however, as shown by further studies in snow leopard habitats in 2003-2011. , the real number of the species in Russia is at least two times lower and is unlikely to exceed 70-90 individuals. An updated version of the Strategy, taking into account work experience and new realities, was approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation in 2014.

In Russia, the snow leopard lives at the northern limit of its modern range and forms only a few stable groups in optimal habitats - the mountains of the Altai-Sayan ecoregion. The number of snow leopards in Russia is only 1-2% of the world number of the species. The survival of the snow leopard in our country largely depends on the conservation of spatial and genetic connections its Russian groups with the main population core of the species in Western Mongolia and, possibly, in Northwestern China.

In 2010, WWF moved to a new level of work and, in collaboration with numerous partners, began monitoring snow leopard populations using modern methods research: photo and video traps. This method made it possible to clarify the boundaries of the habitat of the groups and the abundance of the species. Disappointing conclusions were obtained from a study of the snow leopard group in the Argut River valley in the Altai Republic, previously considered the largest in Russia. Camera traps recorded only lynx, despite the fact that the conditions for the existence of snow leopards on Argut are ideal: high mountains, rocky gorges, the presence of the largest Siberian group in Russia mountain goat 3200-3500 individuals - the main food of snow leopards in the Altai-Sayans. Polls local residents revealed the fact of the almost complete destruction of the snow leopard group on Argut in the 70-90s of the twentieth century, when the snow leopard fishery flourished in the mountains. WWF's task was to preserve the surviving remnants of the group and gradually restore its numbers.

One of WWF's priorities is supporting anti-poaching activities. In the same year, on the initiative of WWF, a German shepherd search dog, Eric, was trained to work in the Altai mountains in order to search and identify traces of snow leopard activity, becoming an assistant to specialists in the field.

In 2012, employees of the Altai biosphere reserve and WWF managed to obtain the first photographic evidence of the snow leopard’s habitat: cameras recorded a female and a male, named Vita and Kryuk. In addition to photomonitoring to record and study the elusive predator, in collaboration with scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution. A. N. Severtsov RAS (IPEE RAS), scientists use the method of DNA analysis of collected traces of snow leopard activity (excrement, fur, etc.), SLIMS and other modern techniques...

In 2011, in Altai, in order to distract the local population from poaching, illegal collection of wild plants or logging in the region, the WWF and Citi Foundation Program was launched to improve the quality of life of local residents and create a sustainable income from types of business that are sustainable for nature. With the help of training seminars, exchange of experience and provision of microgrants and microloans for the local population, WWF and Citi set goals for the development of legal small businesses in the field of rural tourism and ecotourism in the habitats of the Altai mountain sheep and snow leopard, the production of souvenirs and felt products, and improving performance quality of livestock, etc.

In 2015, with the support of the Pernod Ricard Rouss company, WWF specialists first tested a method of involving former hunters in environmental projects. Having undergone special training and received cameras for snow leopard monitoring, residents receive a reward for the fact that the snow leopard continues to be recorded by camera traps and remains alive and well. Already six people, including hunters from families of hereditary “leopard hunters”, have been trained in working with cameras and are participating in WWF raids, helping inspectors with information, forces and participating in expeditions.

The snow leopard is a predator that does not respect state borders. The well-being of this species directly depends on the connection between Russian groups and snow leopard groups in neighboring Mongolia and China. Therefore, the development of transboundary environmental cooperation is a priority task for WWF in the region. Joint research, exchange of experience, scientific, environmental and educational activities with WWF Mongolia and colleagues from other environmental structures in Mongolia are carried out annually and quite effectively. Joint projects with colleagues from Kazakhstan include the creation of protected natural areas and support for joint environmental activities.

Camera trap in the Chibit tract

© Alexander Kuksin

© Sergey Istomov

Sergei Istomov records snow leopard tracks

Snow leopard on Tsagaan-Shibetu, Tuva © A. Kuksin

© Mikhail Paltsyn

© Alexander Kuksin

What remains of the owner of the mountains

What to do next

Today, the main threat to snow leopards in the region remains illegal fishing using wire snares. An inconspicuous noose is installed by a poacher on an animal path along which animals move, and, tightening as the animal moves, it becomes a death trap. Cheap snares are often abandoned by poachers, and they remain wary long years threatening the death of animals. According to WWF experts, there are only a few cases of targeted hunting of snow leopards in the region. More often, loops are installed on other species of animals, in particular, on musk deer, whose musk gland is an excellent and expensive trophy that is valued in the eastern market for medicines and potions. Poaching of musk deer is a big threat to the snow leopard.

In conditions of insufficiently effective equipment and a small number of employees of government agencies for the protection of wildlife, WWF provides logistical support for operational activities in the habitats of rare and endangered species. Particular attention is paid to the fight against snare fishing.

Work in the Republic of Tyva has its own characteristics. In the region with the highest livestock population in Siberian federal district shepherds live in the highlands almost side by side with the snow leopard. A decrease in the number of wild ungulates and climate change are the reasons that force the snow leopard to attack livestock, which is a source of life for pastoralists. Shooting or trapping of snow leopards by local residents in retaliation for attacks on livestock is a major threat to the predator in Tuva. To reduce conflict situations, WWF is taking various steps. Thus, a scheme for paying compensation to shepherds for livestock lost as a result of a snow leopard attack was tested, and measures are being taken to instill a special attitude towards the rare predator among local residents. In 2010, a simple but effective measure to reinforce ventilation holes in covered cattle pens with chain-link mesh prevented snow leopard attacks on livestock and saved the lives of many predators.

Today, about 19% of key snow leopard habitats and 31% of argali habitats in Russia have the status of protected natural areas. WWF plans to expand the network of protected areas or improve the status, as well as the quality of protection, management and existing protected areas. The number of the group in the Argut River valley is growing - photos and video traps record the presence of females with kittens here, a new habitat of the snow leopard has been found on the Chikhachev Ridge. In 2015, for the first time, an online information system was developed for snow leopard specialists, which will collect all available information on every snow leopard encountered in Russia and Mongolia - from footage from automatic cameras to meeting places and the characteristics of each snow leopard.

International cooperation between Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan should develop, ensuring the conservation of animals that do not respect state borders.

WWF will continue to use A complex approach and work in partnership with multiple partners. This will optimize resources and ensure the long-term conservation of these species in the Altai and Sayan Mountains.