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A research and rehabilitation center for snow leopards, named Ak Ilbirs, opened on October 23 in Kyrgyzstan. The facility, located in the village of Ananyevo on the shores of Issyk-Kul, will study snow leopard behavior and support efforts to increase the animals’ numbers.
The opening coincided with International Snow Leopard Day. Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan helped establish the center; its leader, Rustam Minnikhanov, attended the ceremony alongside Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev.
Snow leopards inhabit mountainous regions across 12 Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the species as vulnerable, with their numbers threatened by poaching and dwindling prey, as well as conflicts with local herders. Their elusive behavior and remote habitats also make it particularly difficult to estimate their numbers.
Kyrgyzstan plays a prominent role in international snow leopard conservation efforts. In 2023, the snow leopard was recognized as a national symbol of Kyrgyzstan. The following year, at Bishkek’s initiative, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 23 as International Snow Leopard Day.
In April 2025, Kyrgyzstan established the Ak Ilbirs ecological corridor in the Issyk-Kul region, covering more than 792,000 hectares. It connects Khan-Tengri Nature Park, the Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve, and the Naryn Nature Reserve. Such corridors allow snow leopards to move between mountain habitats, reducing the risk that isolated populations will lose genetic diversity.
Kyrgyzstan is also exploring opportunities to develop tourism in areas inhabited by snow leopards. Indian company SUJAN Luxury Hospitality has proposed both wildlife watching and scientific expeditions involving local residents. The proposal, still under discussion, also includes training rangers and developing tourism infrastructure.
In 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s nature reserves and national parks received more than 271,000 tourists, an increase of 24% from the previous year. Revenue from visits more than doubled to $431,000.
However, snow leopards tend to avoid human activity, meaning that tourism development in their habitats will require careful management of routes and visitor numbers.
Sergey Kwan