Kyrgyzstan has officially declared the snow leopard as its national symbol.
In ancient Kyrgyz culture, Panthera uncia/ snow leopard, held significance as a totem animal linked to the legendary hero of the Kyrgyz people, Manas.
Kyrgyzstan hosted the inaugural Global Snow Leopard Forum in 2013 in the capital, Bishkek.
During this event, the Bishkek Declaration on Snow Leopard Protection was unanimously adopted.
The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP) was initiated with the collaboration of representatives from 12 snow leopard range countries including India.