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Updated 26 February 2026 - BBC documentary team records elusive feline in historic Soviet-era reserve.
Elusive feline spotted in historic reserve
Wildlife presenters Michaela Strachan and India Latham have captured rare footage of a snow leopard in Uzbekistan's Gissar State Nature Reserve, a former Soviet-era protected area nestled in the Central Asian mountains. The discovery confirms the presence of the world's most elusive big cat in the region's westernmost reaches.
Temperatures plummeted to -6°C (21°F) as the team reviewed camera trap footage in a remote valley. After sifting through hundreds of clips showing bears, ibex, and porcupines, they finally spotted the snow leopard-a solitary, camouflaged predator known as the "ghost of the mountain"-prowling confidently across the frame.
Symbol of heritage and survival
The team's journey began in Samarkand, where guide Inom Isroilov highlighted the snow leopard's cultural significance. The feline appears in the city's emblem, symbolizing protection and national identity. "Snow leopards are part of our identity," Isroilov said. "But now, we need to protect them."
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified the snow leopard from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2017, citing improved data and conservation efforts. However, scientists warn that threats like habitat loss, poaching, and climate change persist.
Soviet legacy shapes conservation
The team traveled south to the Gissar State Nature Reserve, Uzbekistan's largest protected area, established in 1985 as a Soviet "zapovednik." These strictly protected reserves, closed to the public, preserved ecosystems by restricting settlements and industry. Elena Bykova, a researcher at the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, noted that Gissar's isolation shielded it from development, though landmines along the Tajik border disrupted animal migration routes.
Bykova described Gissar as one of Central Asia's most vital ecosystems, home to over 270 animal species and 1,200 plant types. Despite challenges, snow leopard numbers in the reserve have risen to 61 since the 1980s, according to BBC-reviewed data.
Tracking the ghost cat
The team trekked for three days with rangers led by reserve director Kakhramon Kamolovich, who installed over 70 camera traps across rugged terrain. Snow leopards roam 12 countries, from Mongolia to Bhutan, often crossing politically sensitive borders. Koustubh Sharma of the Snow Leopard Trust emphasized the need for cross-border cooperation, citing Uzbekistan's 2024 leadership in a memorandum to strengthen conservation efforts.
Scientist Mariya Gritsina, who studies snow leopard movements, noted the difficulty of tracking the crepuscular predators. "Even if you dedicate your life to them, you might only see one," she said. Global estimates place the population between 4,000 and 6,500, though improved survey methods may revise these figures.
Balancing conservation and community
While the team found snow leopard scat-a thrilling sign of the cat's presence-local herders like Askar Khasanovich Shermatov expressed mixed feelings. "They're beautiful animals. Scary, but beautiful," he said. "They're multiplying, but if there's enough prey, they won't attack my herds."
Gritsina is developing community engagement plans to reduce conflicts, including compensation schemes for herders. Bykova acknowledged the zapovednik system's limitations, noting that strict protections sometimes fueled resentment among excluded communities. Newer protected areas in Uzbekistan now blend strict core zones with sustainable-use areas.
Challenges and hope
Bykova listed ongoing threats: poaching, habitat degradation, and climate change. Sharma added that a third of snow leopards live near international borders, requiring harmonized laws and research methods. The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program supports such coordination.
Though the team didn't see a snow leopard in the wild, the footage and data confirm their presence. "That's what conservation is about," Strachan reflected. "Building the knowledge to protect these wild landscapes."
"We can't cover all the territory with our studies."
Mariya Gritsina, Institute of Zoology, Uzbekistan
Broadcast details
Adventures in Conservation: Searching for Snow Leopards with Michaela Strachan airs on BBC News on 28 February at 12:30 GMT and 1 March at 00:30, 07:30, and 19:30 GMT.
