On May 29-30, 2025, an educational training session on snow leopard conservation and monitoring was held in Merke village, Zhambyl region. The event was organized by QazaqGeography in collaboration with the Institute of Zoology of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan and the NGO Wildlife Without Borders. The project was supported by the Pangje Foundation and the Snow Leopard Network.
Key Topics of the Training
The training program included theoretical and practical components. On the first day, Alexey Grachev, head of the Mammalogy Laboratory at the Institute of Zoology, presented key lectures on research and monitoring methods for snow leopards.
On the second day, employees of Merke Forestry Institution attended hands-on training on the use of drones and camera traps for studying and tracking snow leopards, led by Maxim Bespalov and Saltore Saparbayev.
Community Engagement
A meeting with local residents was held as part of the training to discuss:
- Reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife
- Sustainable pasture management
- Developing eco-tourism as an alternative income source
The director of Merke Forestry Institution, Samat Tokushbekov, introduced plans to establish the "Merke" regional natural park, an important step toward preserving biodiversity in the region.
Future Prospects for Protected Areas
As part of Kazakhstan’s national sustainability strategy, efforts are underway to expand protected areas, including regions designated for snow leopard conservation.
The Kyrgyz Alatau mountain range, located in northwestern Kazakhstan, is a critical ecological corridor for snow leopard populations across the Tien Shan region.
QazaqGeography will continue working with international partners and local experts, conducting research and training aimed at preserving endangered species and maintaining ecological balance in the region.
