Snow Leopard Numbers Double in Kazakhstan's Protected Wilds

Kazakhstan has achieved a major conservation milestone, with its snow leopard population more than doubling in recent decades to reach an estimated 189 individuals.

The update was shared by Nurken Sharbiyev, Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, during a meeting of the Senate Committee on Agrarian Issues, Environmental Management, and Rural Development, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Sharbiyev noted that in the 1990s, snow leopards were on the brink of extinction in Kazakhstan, with only 80 to 100 individuals remaining in the wild. In response, the government implemented a sweeping conservation strategy, establishing specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) covering 3.6 million hectares across key snow leopard habitats. These include nature reserves such as Ile-Alatau, Kolsai Lakes, Altyn Emel, Sairam-Ugam, Zhongar Alatau, Charyn, Tarbagatai, Katon-Karagai, Karatau, and Western Altai.

Today, around 70 per cent of snow leopard habitats in the country are officially protected. To support research and better management of these areas, 11 snow leopards have been fitted with satellite collars to track their movements and behavior.

“Thanks to our conservation and monitoring efforts, we have managed to increase the population from the critical level of the 1990s to around 189 individuals today,” Sharbiyev stated.

The vice minister also reported progress in Kazakhstan’s tiger reintroduction program, which is based in the newly created Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve, spanning 415,000 hectares.

Between 2018 and 2024, conservationists introduced 205 Bactrian deer to the reserve to help rebuild the natural prey base. Over 100 kulans (wild asses) were also relocated, while efforts to grow roe deer and wild boar populations continue to strengthen the local ecosystem.

In autumn 2024, two tigers were brought from the Netherlands for a captive breeding program. Kazakhstan expects to receive three to four wild tigers from Russia in 2026, marking a major step toward reintroducing the iconic predator to its historic range.