1. to organize snow-tracking and density estimation of Pallas' Cat throughout the East-Kazakhstan part of the range
2. to identify Pallas' Cat population hot spots
3. to elaborate the map (GIS) of Pallas' Cat distribution throughout the East Kazakhstan
4. to identify areas where Pallas' Cat was extinct during last decades

The research will be carried out partly in the frames of UNDP/GEF Kazakhstan project on the inventory the flora and fauna of the Kazakhstan part of Altay-Sayan Ecoregion. This territory is only the part of Pallas' Cat habitats in the East Kazakhstan and it does not include the most important territories of high conservation value for this cat species.

We are searching for means to investigate low hills in the other part of the East Kazakhstan. It will take us 2000 dollars.

If you want to support our research we will give you detailed information about Project and its budget

Your means will be spent on

1. Expedition expenses (fuel, food, rent off-road vehicle)
2. Scientific and field equipment
3. Report production preparing and publishing
4. Salaries for specialists

We will be glad to accept any support from you

Equipment, purchased on charitable means, will be used in the expeditions on rare animals study later on

There is no trustworthy data on modern Pallas' cat number and distribution in Kazakhstan. This species was distributed formerly from the Caspian Sea on the west to the Markakol Lake on the east and from the north of the Kazakhstan low hills to the boundaries on the south. Pallas' Cat is species recognized as rare and endangered but there is no precise information about its modern status (Nowell, Jackson, 1996). The UICN classifies the Pallas' Cat as near threatened due to decreasing population trends and increasing threats from hunting and habitat loss (IUCN 2000). In particular, the manul has disappeared in recent years from much of the Caspian region. The Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) lists the Pallas' Cat as an Appendix II species (UNEP-WCMC 2004).

While Pallas' Cat is listed into the national Red Data Book of Kazakhstan, there is no actual information on its distribution and number. The majority of data on this cat is occasionally known from zoologists, local people, etc.

It is not known what threats this species.

Our project is directed to obtaining actual information on conservation status of Pallas' Cat population in the East Kazakhstan and will promote activities for its saving.

1. Creating GIS map; analysing maps and remote sensing data
2. GIS-analysis of data obtained
3. Interviewing local people (hunters, rangers, herdsmen, etc.)
4. Snow-tracking and density estimation (censuses)
5. Publishing materials for motivating and informing decision makers and other stakeholders
6. Distributing the published materials to named decision makers and other stakeholders