AKIPRESS.COM - The only rehabilitation center for snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan is located near Ananievo village in Issyk-KUl region.

The center is home for 3 individuals of snow leopards.

On August 22, the center welcomed journalists from 12 countries arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the global snow leopard protection forum set for August 24-25 in Bishkek. The leaders of 12 countries are expected to take part in it.

Creation of the center dates back to 1994 when German environmental scientists led by the winner of the alternative Nobel Prize, Professor Mikhail Zukov first visited Kyrgyzstan with the idea of founding a biospheric territory.

The idea was backed by the scientific community of Kyrgyzstan and the project and research were launched.

Issyk-Kul was then recognized a UNESCO biosphere territory in 2001, the Central Asian country's legislative branch passed the law on biosphere territories, which would come into force and recognize biosphere territories as long as the long-term project would work in the country.

In 2002, the German Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) together with law enforcement bodies of Kyrgyzstan detected 3 snow leopards the poachers attempted to smuggle out. The place for living for the saved snow leopards was under discussion and by coincidence, the project required by law – the rehabilitation center for wild animals – was created.

All the saved from poachers cats started living in this center: a male Kunak and two females Alsu and Bagheera. Later, Bagheera died of old age. Her skin was taxidermied and handed over to a museum.

Now the center is home for Alsu, Kunak and their daughter - Kolyuchka. Additionally, the center has become a shelter for one lynx and several birds of prey. All of them were saved from poachers.