The Pallas's cat has long earned a reputation on social media as the most charming and attractive feline.

In Turkmenistan, the Pallas's cat inhabits the Kopetdag and Great Balkhan mountains. It's extremely difficult to spot it in the wild. It hunts at night or early in the morning, and hides in its shelter during the day.

And so, a recent encounter with him occurred at the border in the Dogridere area of the Kopetdag Nature Reserve. The encounter inspired scientists: they hope that great opportunities lie ahead for studying the distribution and bioecological characteristics of the Pallas's cat, which is included in the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan (2024), the IUCN Red List, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Scientific observations conducted by staff at the Kopetdag State Nature Reserve in December revealed the presence of snow of varying density in the Ruhabat Valley. Wildcat tracks are clearly visible in the snow, according to the website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.

Cat tracks were also recorded at altitudes of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. 500 meters from the valley's entrance, herds of wild boars, each numbering between 5 and 15 individuals, began to appear. A total of 78 boars of various ages were recorded.