The press service of the Sailugem National Park has reported that during a snow leopard population survey, a new,unidentified snow leopard was captured on the automated cameras in the "Argut" cluster. The predator has been given the working name C1_A24.
A year earlier, a female with cubs was spotted in the same place. Experts suggest that the individual captured this year may be a grown-up cub from that litter.
The western part of the Argut Valley in Altai is difficult to access. A lot of snow falls here in winter, making it difficult and not always possible to get there. Camera traps are checked here episodically and not very regularly. Scientists note that in recent years, more traces of snow leopard activity have appeared in the Argut River basin.
"Five years ago, there were no traces of snow leopards in this area, but now the employees of the Sailugem National Park find snow leopard tracks in the snow, and once they even saw a snow leopard with their own eyes. This indicates that snow leopards are settling from other territories and occupying new areas," the message says.
According to park staff, there are currently 5 female snow leopards and 11 cubs inhabiting the Argut River basin. The growth of the snow leopard population in the valley is also facilitated by the increase in the number of marals and ibex.
The Republic of Altai has recorded the highest number of snow leopards in Russia - at least 54 individuals, including 18 cubs.
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