Abstract: It describes status of snow leopard in republics of the former Soviet Union, main reasons for poaching and negative and positive experience on species conservation. The total number of snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the 1980's was at least 1200-1400. In Kazakhstan the snow leopard population totaled 180-200, in Uzbekistan around 100, and in Russia 150-200. The number and natural habitat of the species were in universal decline. Losses in Kyrgyzstan from poaching alone were no less than 30 animals per year in 1960-1980's. During this period the population in this area decreased by half, and the natural habitat by one third. With the break-up of the Soviet Union, poaching of the snow leopard and its pray grew by at least a factor of 3-4. It was estimated that 500-600 animals reduced the Kyrgyz snow leopard population in the 1990's. The population that remains today can barely be more than 150-200 individual snow leopards. The population has been physically decimated. Number of snow leopard in existence today in the former Soviet Union does not exceed 700-900 individual animals.

Abstract: Pastoralists and their livestock share much of the habitat of the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) across south and central Asia. The levels of livestock predation by the snow leopard and other carnivores are high, and retaliatory killing by the herders is a direct threat to carnivore populations. Depletion of wild prey by poaching and competition from livestock also poses an indirect threat to the region's carnivores. Conservationists working in these underdeveloped areas that face serious economic damage from livestock losses have turned to incentive programs to motivate local communities to protect carnivores. We describe a pilot incentive program in India that aims to offset losses due to livestock predation and to enhance wild prey density by creating livestock-free areas on common land. We also describe how income generation from handicrafts in Mongolia is helping curtail poaching and retaliatory killing of snow leopards. However, initiatives to offset the costs of living with carnivores and to make conservation beneficial to affected people have thus far been small, isolated, and heavily subsidized. Making these initiatives more comprehensive, expanding their coverage, and internalizing their costs are future challenged for the conservation of large carnivores such as the snow leopard.

Abstract: The landscape and biologic diversity of Central Asia's mountains are described. Different types of fauna complexes are segregated. Snow leopard, dhole, and ibex are referred to Central Asia's highland species.

Abstract: It describes geographical, soil, climatic and hydrological features of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Types of economic activities including fur-trade are described, too. Game preserves are classified, and list of game fauna species inhabiting these republics is given. Snow leopard lives in rocky mountains and is hunted very rarely.

Abstract: Identification features of the sub-genus Uncia (colour; length of body and tail; shoulder height, and skull measurements) are given. Distribution, habitat, way of life, reproduction biology, behavioural patterns, migration routes, commercial value of snow leopard in the USSR is described.