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Lagodekhi Nature Reserve, in Georgia’s Kakheti region, is one of the richest and most diverse areas for wildlife in the Caucasus, spanning altitudes from about 600 to over 3,000 metres and containing virgin forests, alpine meadows, rivers, glacial lakes and deep gorges, which together sustain more than 50 species of mammals, about 150 species of birds, several reptiles, amphibians and fish. Among mammals you will find large herbivores such as the East Caucasian tur, chamois, red deer and roe deer; wild boar roam in forest groves; predators like the brown bear, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx and the wildcat are also present. Among birds of prey there are spectacular species: the lammergeyer (bearded vulture), golden eagle, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, peregrine falcon and others. Unique or endemic species include the Caucasian snowcock, the Caucasian black grouse and in amphibians the Caucasian parsley frog. The floristic diversity is also tremendous with many species endemic to Georgia or to the Caucasus, which helps support the variety of fauna. In recent years there has been increased attention to rare and missing species: for example a lone bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus) was unexpectedly photographed by camera traps in Lagodekhi, though the species was previously not known from the reserve. As for the Caucasian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor / Persian leopard), while this magnificent big cat was once part of Georgia’s fauna, it has long been thought functionally extinct in many areas. Recent findings have confirmed its presence in some protected areas like Tusheti via camera traps in 2021 and 2022; however as of now there is no confirmed evidence of a stable breeding population of leopard in Lagodekhi Reserve. The return of the leopard is a hopeful sign overall for conservation in Georgia, and many believe that improving habitat protection, reducing poaching and maintaining wildlife corridors may in time allow Leopards to re-occupy former ranges including possibly Lagodekhi. If you visit Lagodekhi, besides watching for large mammals, you will enjoy seeing rare birds, hearing frogs in mountain streams, glimpsing secretive predators, and experiencing biodiversity at every elevation.