Being on the verge of extinction, snow leopard or ounce (the Altai name) inhabits on the territory of  13 countries, its population is confined to several dozens. It is a symbol of mysterious and severe world of the mountains in Central Asia (among the family of big cats it is the only permanent highlands inhabitant).

It has a massive body (the length of its body is 103-130 cm, tail 80-105 cm, weight 22-39 kg), short rounded ears; big ring-shaped and small plain black or dark grey spots are scattered round the light-grey fur. An ounce leads crepuscular lifestyle, during the day it hides in the den – a cave or a crevice among piles of rocks and stones, under hanging plates. It does not attack people, though it is not easily frightened and does not hasten to hide. According to the workers of the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve, particularly novices are lucky enough to meet this graceful animal.