National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The snow leopard is a rare and endangered species listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, and Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In Uzbekistan, the snow leopard occurs in the Western Tien Shan (the Ugam, Pskem and Chatkal mountain ranges) and the Western Pamir-Alay (the Turkestan, Zarafshan and Gissar mountain ranges). It inhabits mid- and high-mountain ecosystems, is primarily active during the evening, and spends the daytime sheltering in caves and among rocky outcrops. Following populations of wild ungulates, the snow leopard undertakes seasonal altitudinal migrations along mountain slopes. Its lifespan can reach up to 21 years.

Uzbekistan continues to strengthen international cooperation in snow leopard conservation. The country is an active participant in the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), which brings together the 12 snow leopard range countries. In 2025, during the 9th Steering Committee Meeting of GSLEP held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, the Cholpon-Ata Resolution on the Conservation of the Snow Leopard and Mountain Ecosystems was adopted.

In addition, the Samarkand Resolution was adopted during the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14), held in Samarkand, providing further impetus to international cooperation on snow leopard conservation. More broadly, Uzbekistan places particular emphasis on expanding cooperation with international organizations, neighbouring countries and scientific institutions, promoting the use of modern wildlife monitoring technologies and strengthening joint efforts to conserve transboundary mountain ecosystems.

For reference:The Gissar State Reserve was established in 1983 in the Kashkadarya Region. The reserve comprises four divisions. A total of 276 species of invertebrate (insect) and vertebrate animals have been recorded within its territory, including 17 species listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan.