Abstract: Zoolites of the Felidae family are known from the Upper Eocene Lower Pliocene in Eurasia, Africa, and North America. Two sub-families are know to inhabit the territory of the USSR and adjacent territories: the extinct sabre-toothed Felidae species Machairodontia and now existing Felidae species. In the USSR the extinct Felidae species were found to exist in Upper Miocene, Upper and Middle Pliocene, and Pleistocene. In Eurasia panthers has been know since early Pliocene. Three species were found in Uzbekistan – the extinct cave lion Felidae sd†l…†… (Goldfuss, 1810), and now existing P…nth†a… tigris, P…nth†a… pardus. The ancient finds and modern habitats are briefly described. Genus Uncia is represented by one species snow leopard or irbis. Probably it appeared in later Pliocene or Pleistocene in the mountain of Central Asia. In Uzbekistan, remains of snow leopard were found in the Samarqand region in the layer of Upper Pleistocene or Holocene. Probably it moved into the area in Pleistocene or the period of glacier removal in the Western Tien Shan mountains, Turkestan, Zeravshan, and Hissar ridges.

Abstract: Origination of fauna complexes in Uzbekistan from the Mustier period to present time is described. The remains of brown bear, cave hyena, wolf, fox, corsac, stone marten, badger, and snow leopard were found in cave Amankutan (western extremities of the Zaravshan ridge). Cattle breeding and farming has begun since mesolite; cave bear, Stenon horse, Pleistocene donkey, camel and aurochs dropped from the region's fauna, while marchor and striped hyena moved to the Hissar ridge, Babatag and Kugitang mountains from south; jackal, chaus, tiger, and Iranian otter settled along the river valleys. In the Neolith and Bronze Age cattle breeding and farming continued to develop, while hunting was less important. Mass hinting for animals in the time of Alexander the Great, Chingiz Khan, and Babur, the ruler of Fergana, is described. Mass extermination of kulan, goitered gazelle, saiga, and other game species also took place later more than 12,000 saigas were killed during one hunt at the end of 19th century in the Volga region. Animals also die from natural disasters the “djut”. Data concerning a current status of goitered gazelle, saiga, Bukhara deer, marchor, Severtsev's sheep, and urial is given.

Abstract: In Uzbekistan, there is a network of protected areas of land and water, consisting of 11 nature reserves (163,780 ha) and nine sanctuaries (217,837 ha). Five or six new protected natural areas with a total area of 220,000 250,000 ha are recommended to be established. The further development of the network will help preserve typical natural complexes, having scientific, practical and cultural value. When selecting an area for protection it is needed to cover overall diversity of natural landscapes including relief, soils, waters, vegetation and animals. Snow leopard is protected in the Chatkal, Zaamin, Kizilsu, and Miraka nature reserves.

Abstract: Totally in Uzbekistan inhabited about 40 game species, but many of them became rare (Mellivora capensis indica, Lutra lutra seistanica, Hyaena hyaena, Felis pardus ciscaucasicus, Felis uncia, Felis ¤…a…c…l michaelis, F.manul ferrugineus, Cervus elaphus bactrianus, ¥…da… falconeri heptneri, Ovis orientalis bochariensis, I. about severtsovi, About ammon k…a†1ini), from fauna of region have disappeared Cuon alpinus hesperius, D…nthera tigris virgata, Acion¢o jubatus, Cervus elaphus sibiricus, Equus h†mionus, E. dazewalskii, Camelus bactrianus. For protection of valuable species of animals in Uzbekistan 6 nature reserves and 6 zakazniks were established.

Abstract: There are 27 mammal species in the mountains of Turkestan ridge, 17 of which are good for trade or sport hunting. However, many of them have become non-numerous because of overhunting or destruction of their natural complexes (forest cutting, erosion, etc.). In Turkestan ridge of Uzbekistan, snow leopard is protected only in the Zaamin nature reserve.