The Snow Leopard and Cultural Landscape in Contemporary Kazakhstan

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is commonly seen in the cultural landscape within the Republic of Kazakhstan. This contrasts rather starkly with the endangered species' presence on the natural landscape there. Three contemporary cultural landscape sightings of the snow leopard in Kazakhstan-the Almaty zoological park, the Kazakhstan 2030 strategy initiative, and the 2011 Asian Winter Games-are explored here. The positive imagery and symbolism linking the snow leopard to the Republic of Kazakhstan cements the non-human animal's status as an unofficial state symbol. The borderlands of snow leopard landscapes, those spaces of cultural and natural environmental overlap, are vital for conservation efforts. Reincorporating non-human animals into social science research offers the opportunity for cultural landscape investigations. For the snow leopard, cultural landscape research may prove as important as traditional natural landscape research in Kazakhstan and throughout this majestic non-human animal's territorial range.