Pallas' cat (Otocolobus manul) is one of the least studied wild cats in the world that has a large habitat stretching from Transcaucasus to Transbaikal, Mongolia and north-western China, but it populates these territories only sparsely. During the last 20-30 years diminishing of both populations numbers and habitat area has been recorded in a number of regions, especially near the Aral Sea and in Kazakhstan steppes. In Russia Pallas' cat is generally found in regions situated along the border with north-eastern Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China - namely, Altai, Tyva, Buryatia and Chita region, where it lives in steppes and arid territories. Total population of Pallas' cat in Russia in 1990-2000 has been estimated to be from 3000 to 3650 individuals and only an insignificant number of Pallas' cats live in nature reserves ("Daursky", "Sokhondinsky", "Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina", "Sayano-Shushensky"). The habitat of these species has been growing gradually smaller over the years and its numbers decreased by a factor of ten or more in some places. In Kazakhstan Pallas' cat is still numerous, but its status there is a matter of concern too, since there is no exact information concerning its numbers there and specialized research hasn't been performed in a long time. Furthermore, there is evidence that its habitat is decreasing, and its numbers, most likely, decrease as well.

One of Pallas' cat characteristic traits is its affinity for mountainous-steppe and semi-arid ecosystems that, until the nineties of the last century, were used excessively as pastures. This trend still persists in Mongolia. This alone would have been enough to threaten these species' survival. Pallas' cat numbers depend heavily on such factors as abundance of rodents or amount of snow in winter, but human activity (poaching; Pallas' cats being killed by shepherds' dogs; fires) plays a dominant role in these species' continued dwindling. There is yet no consensus on the degree of influence that claiming of new territories for agriculture exerts on Pallas' cat, but it is worth noting that in all regions where Pallas' cat and human coexist, Pallas' cat mainly lives in areas used for agriculture.

Biology of the species and its ways of adapting to landscapes being used in agriculture or as grazing grounds have never been studied adequately. We lack data on Pallas' cat current spatial distribution, migratory patterns and habitat preferences. Pallas' cat reproduces rather well in captivity but is more prone to disease than other species of cats, especially in juvenile age.

• Russian Federation
  • Altai Republic
  • Tyva Republic
  • Buryatia Republic
  • Chita Region
  • Khakasia Republic
  • Krasnoyarsk Region
• Kazakhstan

• to know modern distribution, number and quantity dynamics of Pallas' cat populations both in Russia and in the countries of Middle and Central Asia;
• to create a monitoring system of these characteristics;
• to know Pallas' cat biology more in aspects that determine its sensitiveness to anthropogenic factors and possibility of its adaptation to living in landscape been cultivated by people;
• to show up threatened factors and mechanisms of their influence on Pallas' cat populations.

• to make interviews on modern status of Pallas cat populations in nature reserves, scientific institutes, universities, and other institutions.
• to carry out snow-tracking and density estimation in regions; to reveal hot spots.
• to conduct telemetry pilot study on Pallas' cat biology

At present we are preparing the data base on Pallas Cat in Russia and neighbor countries (Mongolia and Kazakhstan). Another activity is the creation the poster and the informational booklet on Pallas Cat to distribute them among the local people. At the same time we are searching for the funds to survey Pallas Cats in winter.

We accept with gratitude any your support. We intend to ensure the limpidity in using funds received.