Abstract: There are two isolated snow leopard populations in Uzbekistan, both of which are located along the fringe of the species' distribution. These groups are the Pamir-Alai and the Tien-Shan, of which are united to snow leopard range in neighboring Tadjikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Apart from animals inhabiting the Hissar Nature Reserve, the Pamir-Alai population consists of animals inhabiting the upper portion of the Tupalang River basin and the mountains around Baisuntau. This population is currently estimated at about 30 individuals, from which as many as 10 individuals are reported to be killed or captured annually. However, we suspect the loss rate is more like five to eight individuals, with the entire Pamir-Alai group in Uzbekistan numbering 22 – 25 animals. The Tien-Shan snow leopard sub-population group of Uzbekistan occupies the high-mountain portions of practically all of the large ridges in the area, including Chatkal, Pskem, Ugam and Talass Alatau. The number of snow leopards harvested from this sub-population appears to be five or seven individuals, with the total number placed at 27-32 individuals. The major factors restricting snow leopard numbers in Uzbekistan appears to be poaching of both snow leopard and its large prey species like ibex, as well as disturbance associated with the intensive development of the alpine lands for pasturing livestock. In order to preserve the snow leopard in Uzbekistan it will be necessary to control and eliminate poaching. Additional habitat could be provided by expanding the Chatkal Nature Reserve by adding lands in the Shavassai River basin as well as Akbulak River basin.

Abstract: Reasons for ibex and argali mortality from natural enemies, parasites, infections, accidents, and hunters are analyzed. Snow leopard is one of the most dangerous enemies of ibex and argali, preying equally on both young and mature animals (mostly males). Snow leopard feeds upon ibex all year round. Unlike wolf, snow leopard would never kill several animals at a time, but only one selected victim. The food remains left by these predators are different in terms of the skull gnawing. Nasal bones and eye-sockets on the skull of ibex killed by snow leopard remain undamaged, while wolf gnaws off nasal part of the skull, breaks eye-sockets, eats lower jaw, widens occipital hole and pulls out brains. Snow leopard leaves large pieces of skin around the skeleton of the victim, whereas wolf tears it to shreds or eats up fully. Sometimes parts of the victim left by snow leopard are eaten by wolf. It is easy to mix the remains of snow leopard's or griffon vulture's food. The remains differ in skin being turned inside out rather than torn to large pieces.

Abstract: The counts of species populations such as Menzbier's marmot, roe-deer, ibex, wild boar, wolf, Tien Shan brown bear, and snow leopard has been made on permanent transects in the Chatkal reserve for 18 years. Data on of the population numbers is provided. 11 encounters with snow leopard were registered during a period of 1975 through 1979. Two encounters were recorded in 2000.

Abstract: Though snow leopard is widely distributed in the Altai-Sayans ecologic region (the Krasnoyarsk region, Khakasia, Tuva, the Altai), it is still a rare and understudied species. Its total population in Khakasia is 10-12 animals, in the Altai 60-70 animals.

Abstract: All species inhabiting the highlands of Asia are normally referred to as herbivorous or predators. A majority of alpine land species (rodents and ungulates) feeds upon leaves, stalks, and roots of plants. Among widely distributed highland species the most interesting are marmots, red pica, grey vole, argali, and ibex. Argali and ibex are preyed on by snow leopards. There are reasons to believe that these mountain animal species are more ancient than their cognates in a plain. All the way from Central Asia to Europe, species belonging to the eastern and western fauna complexes are observed to interpenetrate.

Abstract: The authors discuss the occurrence of salmonellosis in collections of exotic felids. Data suggest that zoo employees having contact with cat feces or raw diets have a high rate of occupational exposure to Salmonella and should exercise appropriate hygienic precautions. pcp

Abstract: A description of the Kyzylsu, Miraki, and Markakol nature reserves is given and includes as follows: data of establishment, location, physic and geographic description, types of soils, climate, vegetation, altitude zones, and fauna. In the Kyzylsu nature reserve there are 28 mammal species; in Miraki 23, and in Mirkakol 39. Snow leopard can be found in all the three nature reserves.

Abstract: In Kyrgyzstan, there are 106 mammal and 111 bird species. 40 mammal and 70 bird species are game ones. Resources of some of them were undermined due to over-hunting. Moral, goitered gazelle, pheasant have disappeared; argali, roe deer, and wild boar have become not numerous. In order to protect game fauna and regulate hunting of wild animals, hunting was prohibited at lake Issyk-Kul (1948); hunting for moral, goitered gazelle, swan, bar-headed goose, pheasant, snow leopard, bear, and argali was prohibited too (1952, 1956 and 1958).

Abstract: This survey was being done (May, 1975 February, 1976) in the new Kyzylsu nature reserve, established in 1975. Before 1975, the anthropogenic pressure was mainly represented by overgrazing and unregulated hunting. Provided are data on bird species (bearded vulture, Himalayan vulture, griffon vulture, golden eagle, and Himalayan snow cock), mammal species (long-tailed marmot, Indian porcupine, brown bear, lynx, snow leopard, and Siberian ibex).

Abstract: Based on the limited data available on snow leopard demography, we developed deterministic and stochastic stage-structured demographic models to study the population dynamics of this large cat. Our results reveal that even small leopard populations can persist provided their demographic parameters remain high, but less favorable scenarios would require larger population sizes. Population growth rate is more sensitive to breeder survivals than to any other parameters. A snow leopard population would start declining if yearly mortality claims more than 1/5 of the population. This study identifies poaching as a major threat to snow leopard survival and stresses the importance of long-term studies to better understand snow leopard population dynamics.