Abstract: All natural zones are represented in the mountains of Central Asia: deserts, semi-deserts, steppes, meadows, forests and shrubs, sub-alpine zones, alpine zones. Irbis (snow leopard) is a typical inhabitant of highlands. In the USSR, snow leopard is distributed in the mountains of Central Asia and southern Siberia. Outside the country this species is met in the Himalayas, Tibet, mountains of Mongolia. It is rare everywhere. The annual world trade is less than 1,000 animals. Being a non-numerous species, it causes negligible damage to farming and hunting industry.