Snow leopards getting closer to Almaty: Experts explain the phenomenon

Tengrinews.kz – Residents of Almaty and tourists are increasingly sharing photos of snow leopards. The rare big cats are seen on roads leading to the Big Almaty Gorge, in the frames captured by shepherds, and even in conflict with humans. Tengrinews spoke with experts at the Forest Management Committee to find out whether this "invasion" of predators should be feared.
Frequent encounters
This season has seen many sightings. In February, the Katon-Karagay National Park shared a video showing a female snow leopard with three cubs.

“This is a very rare event, as snow leopard cubs stay with their mother for about two years, during which time they learn to hunt and avoid dangers,” the park noted.

Earlier in February, another snow leopard "settled" in the Big Almaty Gorge. For three days, the predator was spotted at critically low altitudes. Scientists and park staff had to protect the leopard from curious tourists and photographers who used drones, made noise, and tried to approach the predator while it guarded its prey. Eventually, the snow leopard was fitted with a satellite collar, and it moved back up into the mountains.
Photo provided by Anatoly Gaipov
Experts' insights
According to the Forest Management Committee, the presence of snow leopards at low altitudes is not abnormal.

“The appearance of snow leopards at lower altitudes is not unusual as long as the animal is within the mountain ecosystem. In Kazakhstan, the snow leopard's range spans from 500 to 4500 meters above sea level,” experts explained.

Snow leopards may descend to lower altitudes due to several factors:

When the population increases, young snow leopards begin to explore new territories, including foothills. Around the "Altyn-Emel" National Park, they can be found year-round at lower altitudes of around 1000 meters.
In high mountains (4000 meters and above), snow leopards follow prey such as ibex, marals, and roe deer. In winter, when snow exceeds 50 centimeters, these animals descend, and the predators follow them.
In the Northern Tien Shan near Almaty, snow leopards descend to 1200 meters, but only in areas with good protection and minimal human presence.

Experts emphasized that Almaty is a unique location on the world map. Typically, snow leopards avoid cities and noise.

"As global practice shows, snow leopards typically do not live near populated areas because such territories suffer from habitat degradation and high levels of anthropogenic impact. However, the example of Almaty is quite unique: snow leopards live only 10-15 kilometers from the Independence Monument of Kazakhstan, where the ‘Golden Man’ is depicted with a winged leopard," they said.

The growing snow leopard population
Over the past five years, the snow leopard population in Kazakhstan has shown steady, moderate growth.

“Exact estimates depend on the monitoring methods used, but photomonitoring and satellite data indicate an expansion of specific territories and the appearance of new individuals in previously unoccupied areas,” the committee stated.

Currently, Kazakhstan has approximately 200 snow leopards, double the number compared to the early 1990s.
What to do when encountering a snow leopard
If you are lucky enough to encounter the "king of the mountains," forget about trying to take a cool selfie:

Stay calm and do not approach the animal.
Avoid taking close-up photos of the snow leopard.
Do not make noise, chase the predator, or use drones, as this causes stress to the animal.
Slowly and calmly leave the area, never turning your back on the predator and avoiding sudden movements.
Do not feed wild animals or leave food waste that might attract them.
Report the sighting to national park specialists or authorized services.

The Forest Management Committee stressed that the snow leopard is a rare and unique creature, so it’s important to behave carefully in the mountains to avoid harming both yourself and the animal.