Abstract: Among species included in the Red Data Book of the USSR, predators occupy the first place; of them, unconditional leadership belongs the cat family species. Nine of eleven species of the family are referred to as rare and endangered ones. In the past snow leopard (Uncia uncia) inhabited all mountains on the south of the USSR from Tien Shan and Pamir to Transbaikalia. Now it no longer inhabits many of its previous habitats and has become rare, everywhere. Its total population in the USSR is no more than 1000 animals. At the beginning of XX century there were cases that such an amount of snow leopard (i.e. 1,000) was hunted during one year. Until recently, hunting the species was allowed all year round and even encouraged.

Abstract: Snow leopard Uncia uncia Scheber, 1775, has status I, that is rare, non-numerous and endangered species. Information about its distribution, habitats, biology, number, existing and required conservation measures in the RSFSR and USSR is provided. Total population in the USSR is 800 1,000 animals.

Abstract: Any commercial use or sport hunting for snow leopard is prohibited everywhere. In the USSR, illegal hunting or attempt to hunt was prosecuted according to the criminal or administrative law. The following additional measures are required to successfully protect the species: conducting awareness activity in local communities, continuous control, quick investigating of snow leopard extermination cases, and regular counts of snow leopard population.

Abstract: Irbis is distributed in highlands of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Altai. It preys mainly on wild sheep and ibex, marmots, pica, snow-cock, rarer other ungulates, rodents and birds. Sometimes it attacks domestic sheep. At the beginning of spring this species is on heat, gestation period being 90 100 days. Female bears two three (to five) cubs. The litter splits in one year. The animal sheds hair twice a year. It has a low population and therefore hunting for snow leopard is prohibited.

Abstract: A description of snow leopard number, distribution, reproductive biology, death reasons, and conservation measures in the USSR, where northern and north-western border of its habitat runs, is given. The population of snow leopard in the USSR is 500 1,000 animals. In the Inner Tien Shan, 400 snow leopards were caught 1936 through 1970. The maximum of 120 skins was purchased in Pamir in 1956 1958. Population of snow leopard directly correlates with population of ibex, a fact being verified by data collected on a long-term basis. Moreover, snow leopard was for a long time considered as a harmful animal, shooting of which was encouraged by premiums and resulted in reduction of snow leopard population.