Kazakhstan to create world’ first project to save snow leopards

Kazakhstan will launch the world’s first national project to preserve and breed snow leopards. As it is known, snow leopard is listed in the Red Data Book and is on the verge of extinction. To date, there are only a few thousand species in 13 countries. No more than 130 live in Kazakhstan. The rescue project will start next year at the Ile-Alatau National Park in Almaty. A Center will be created, where it is planned to engage in scientific research in addition to breeding and rehabilitation of leopards. Scientists plan to carefully study the animal’s habitats, find out how human activity affects their environment, how it can be improved, and much more. The first gene laboratory for these animals will began to work at the center. The work with the public on the correct treatment of animals will be carried out as well. The project is included in the national program “Zhasyl Kazakhstan 2021-2025”.

There will be a national program for snow leopards for the first time in Kazakhstan. The specific goal is to create a center for rehabilitation, preservation and breeding of snow leopards. We want to negotiate for the center to accept leopards for treatment like a hospital, take care and return them to the wild nature,” said Arman Kashkinbekov, Member of the Board of Kazakhstan’s Renewable Energy Association.

Translation by Saniya Sakenova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova