Abstract: A review of history of creation of the Red Book, International Red List, and Red Data Book of the USSR, Red Data Books of Soviet Republics is made. Snow leopard (with a total population of 10 animals) is included in the Red Data Book of the Uzbek SSR as an endangered species. The author gives the examples of careless attitude to plants and animas resulting in decrease of their populations or even extermination.

Abstract: Full Text: In 1991, Dr Andrzej Kruszewicz of the Institute of Ecology of the Polish Academy of Sciences saw a “quite fresh” snow leopard skin on sale by a Russian in a Warsaw market for three million Polish zlotys ($300). A few weeks later he saw another skin in a shop in the centre of Warsaw. In spring 1992, Marcin Waslawski from the Institute of Geography saw a snow leopard skin in the same market for the equivalent of $200. The seller was an Asian from a former Soviet Republic. In summer 1992, Wajrak himself saw a snow leopard skin in a hunters' shop in Warsaw and in winter saw one in the home of a Polish hunter, who said it was a gift from a Mongolian friend. In winter 1994, a student from Britain saw a Polish long coat of snow leopard skins in Bialowieza. Wajrak saw a skin in a Warsaw shop, which the owner said was 15-20 years old; he got it from a Polish diplomat who had been in Mongolia and had three snow leopard skins. The skin was priced at the equivalent of $1,000. Wajrak added that he had been told that it was possible to buy tiger skins from Russians in Poland and he was trying to find one; I have not heard from him since.

Abstract: A group of rare and endangered species was segregated within the game and non-game mammals of the USSR. Some species in the group were formerly referred to game species. But due to over-hunting and the absence of measures aimed at their reproduction the population dropped sharply. Mammal fauna of the USSR includes more than 80 species that require special protection. The Red list of IUCN includes, among the others, white bear, Transcaucasian sub-species of brown bear, Amur and Turan tigers, snow leopard, Caucasian and Amur leopards, caracal, cheetah, Tien-Shan and Ussuri sub-species of dhole, Atlantic walrus, island seal, kulan, Bukhara red deer, New Land reindeer, goitered gazelle, Menzbier's marmot.

Abstract: In a popular form, it tells about rare vertebrate animals included in the Red Data Book of the USSR, their biology, behavioral patterns, threats and measures being taken to protect them. Total number of snow leopard in the USSR is defined as 2,000 animals. 200 snow leopards live in zoos throughout the world. The animals successfully reproduce themselves in the Moscow, Kaunas, and Alma-Ata zoos. Snow leopard's maximum life expectancy in enclosures is 22 years.

Abstract: Snow leopard is an endangered species. Its number is steadily decreasing. In the USSR, snow leopard is distributed in the mountains of Central Asia: Pamir, Tien Shan, Djungar Ala-Tau, Tarbagatai, Saur. It is also met at altitudes ranging from 1,800 3,500 m above sea level. A total number of snow leopard in the USSR does not exceed 1,000 animals; according to other data 2,000 animals. A decreasing number of snow leopard and its habitat shrinkage is directly related to human's pursuing snow leopards (in the USSR snow leopard was for a long time being considered as a species causing damage to livestock so authorities gave premiums for catching/shooting snow leopards) and reduction of ungulate population. Snow leopards are now protected in mountain nature reserves of the USSR: Chatkal, Aksu-Djabagly, Ramit, Besh-Aral, Sary-Chelek, and Alma-Ata.