Especially interesting are the shots of the snow leopard cubs born in 2020, who not only study camera traps, but also play with them.
The data were obtained as a result of an expedition that took place in October with the participation of members of the Khakass branch of the Russian Geographical Society.
“Autumn observations showed that the cubs do not differ in size from their mother, but they continue to walk with her. Young snow leopards are very playful and actively climb trees. Camera traps have become one of the favorite toys for growing up snow leopard kittens, ”the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources said on its website.
These leopard gadgets are new objects with unfamiliar odors, which is why they are taking an increased interest in cameras.
“Often, acquaintance with camera traps is not limited to the desire to sniff or lick, because it is much more interesting to“ try it out ”. For example, cameras filmed several frames in photo and video mode, in which kittens use their paws and teeth to roll up a camera trap, and then roll and gnaw it, ”the Ministry of Natural Resources said.
“We checked the memory card - from the multiple frames of the mustaches and paws of the snow leopards, it became clear that it was ripped off and then the young snow leopards drove away,” the Ministry of Natural Resources quotes Afanasyev.
A male and female snow leopard brought from Tajikistan were released to the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve in 2018-2019. within the framework of the federal program "Snow Leopard - a Living Symbol of the Western Sayan". In 2020, the female gave birth to two kittens. In August of this year, scientists, using photographs from camera traps, determined that one kitten was a male, and the other was a female.
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