«Ak Ilbirs» research and rehabilitation centre opens in Issyk-Kul Region to protect the snow leopard and other rare wildlife

The «Ak Ilbirs» (White Snow Leopard) scientific research and rehabilitation centre opened on October 23 in the village of Ananyevo, Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan. Cabinet Chairman Adylbek Kasymaliev and Tatarstan Rais Rustam Minnikhanov attended the ceremony.

The centre is meant to protect the endangered snow leopard and other rare wild species, preserve their genetic diversity and develop measures to restore populations. Research, veterinary and rehabilitation infrastructure has been created on site.

Kasymaliev called the snow leopard one of Kyrgyzstan's national symbols and thanked Minnikhanov for his contribution to the project and for strengthening friendly ties between Kyrgyzstan and Tatarstan. The centre also aims to exchange scientific data and experience and to train wildlife-conservation specialists.