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  1. Topics
  2. Species
  3. Snow Leopard
  • Snow leopards
  • Snow Leopard Prize
  • Safe haven for snow leopards
  • Coexistence between human and snow leopard
  • Sustainable Yak husbandry
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Safe haven for snow leopards

NABU's rehabilitation facility for injured wildlife in Kyrgyzstan

Snow leopard in the new facility - photo: Ivan Tymofeiev

Updates

Heads-up for snow leopard superfans!

What's the latest from the rehab centre? How are the two female snow leopards and the other wildlife residents doing? Find current images and German-language blog updates here.

News (German language site)

Chüy Region - Three hours by car to the east of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek lies the world's largest open-air enclosure for snow leopards. NABU's rehabilitation and environmental education centre is a unique establishment in Kyrgyzstan and has a long history. The facility located in Suluu-Terek, however, was only opened recently, in 2022. Injured animals that have been found or confiscated are taken in here, receive medical treatment and, whenever possible, are returned to the wild after regaining their health. If the animals are severely hurt and can no longer survive in the wild, they remain under NABU's permanent protection and care.


Baktybek Azhybekov is the rehab centre's veterinarian, responsible for the medical care of all the animal residents. As the facility includes a veterinary station with an operating room, he is able to react quickly and carry out almost all medical procedures himself. The rehabilitation centre consists of a main building and aviaries for wild birds. Behind this, spread over green slopes, are located the massive open-air enclosures for snow leopards and other wild animals.



  • Veterinarian Baktybek Azhybekov - photo: NABU/ Alimzhan Zhorobaev

  • The NABU rehab centre returns an animal to the wild - photo: NABU Kyrgyzstan

  • Reintroduction to the wild - photo: NABU Kyrgyzstan

The NABU rehabilitation centre as a place of learning

The rehab centre has also dedicated itself to the cause of environmental education, recognizing that nature can only be successfully protected in the long term by raising awareness and support within the local population. Through targeted programs, schoolchildren are introduced to the native wildlife of their homeland, university students engage in scientific studies, and educational materials are developed for wider community use. “In Kyrgyzstan, there are only a few zoos and museums. The schools barely offer any environmental education,” explains Tolkunbek Asylkulov, head of the NABU office in Bishkek. “That’s why we see it as our task to convey to children what nature and species conservation really means.”


Working locations of NABU in Kyrgyzstan - graphic (German): NABU/ Marc Scharping

Working locations of NABU in Kyrgyzstan - graphic (German): NABU/ Marc Scharping

Aside from the new rehabilitation centre, NABU also operates an environmental education centre located in the project region of the Kara-Kujur Valley. There, NABU Kyrgyzstan offers children, youth and other interested visitors a chance to observe the local project activities. These include, for example, snow leopard protection carried out by the anti-poaching unit Gruppa Bars.

Gruppa Bars (English: Group Snow Leopard) patrol on behalf of NABU and implement effective measures against poaching. They follow up on every tip regarding poaching activity, check fur traders at markets and search for traps set up in the mountains. The rangers are primarily active in the north and south of Kyrgyzstan.


MORE INFORMATION

Snow leopard encounters a camera trap - photo: NABU Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan: Study counts 285 snow leopards

A new study demonstrates the encouraging upward trend of the snow leopard population in Kyrgyzstan since 2000. This study, conducted by the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, was carried out with the help of NABU Kyrgyzstan. more →

The Nar Phu Valley in the north of Nepal - photo: stanciuc/ adobe.stock.com
Citizen Science in Nepal

In Nepal's Nar Phu Valley, conflicts often arise between snow leopards and people. While livestock owners fear for their livelihoods, snow leopards suffer under revenge killings. A project searches for ways to foster a peaceful coexistence between the species. more →

Snow leopards are the only big cats that cannot roar - photo: Andy Fabian
Protecting snow leopards

Snow leopards are among the most endangered big cats on earth. Only 4,000 to 6,400 animals now live in the wild. NABU has been committed to the survival of snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan since 1999 and has extended its commitment to Tajikistan, Pakistan and Nepal. more →

Behzad Larry, director of HAHF, receives the Snow Leopard Award from Tolkunbek Asykulov, head of the NABU office in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. - photo: NABU Kyrgyzstan/ HAHF
Decrease in human-wildlife conflicts

Only about 300 snow leopards remain in India. Thanks to the High Asia Habitat Fund human-wildlife conflicts have decreased in Ladakh, reducing one of the biggest threats to snow leopards. Therefore, the organizaion receives the NABU Snow Leopard Award 2022. more →

Yaks in Kyrgyzstan
Sustainable yak husbandry

NABU realises its project „Sustainable yak husbandry in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan Mountains” as part of the Federal Environment Ministry's Advisory Assistance Programme in Middle and Eastern Europe states, Caucasus and Central Asia. more →

CONTACT

Katja Kaupisch - photo: NABU
Katja Kaupisch
Head of Central Asia and Eastern Europe Programme katja.kaupisch@nabu.de

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Where we work: Europe, Africa, Asia, Caucasus
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