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Wildlife Conservation

Kazakhstan’s Red Book to Include 11 New Animal Species

Kazakhstan will soon expand its Red Book of rare and endangered species to include 11 new animal species, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Nurken Sharbiev announced this week. Speaking at a session of the Senate Committee on Agrarian Issues, Nature Management, and Rural Development, Sharbiev noted that the current list includes 227 species, 132 vertebrates and 96 invertebrates. Kazakhstan is home to approximately 835 vertebrate and 100,000 invertebrate species in total. The updated Red Book list, compiled by the Institute of Zoology based on biological assessments aligned with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, will include six invertebrates, three species of scorpions and three insects and five vertebrates. These vertebrates include two bird species, the white-headed vulture and cinereous vulture, both of which inhabit the mountainous regions of southern and eastern Kazakhstan; two reptiles, the Dzungarian and Tien Shan lizards; and one mammal, the jungle cat, found in the Syr Darya and Chu river deltas and in southern marshlands. At the same time, 21 invertebrate species will be removed from the list. Sharbiev also highlighted encouraging progress in snow leopard conservation. The population of this endangered species has more than doubled from a critical low of 80 individuals in the late 1990s to 189 today. “Thanks to conservation and monitoring efforts, we have managed to significantly increase the population from its critical level,” he said. Once heavily hunted for its fur, the snow leopard remains listed by the IUCN as a rare species facing shrinking habitats and declining numbers. In Kazakhstan, it inhabits the southern and southeastern mountain systems, including the Western and Northern Tien Shan, the Dzungarian (Zhetysu) Alatau, as well as the Altai, Saur, and Tarbagatai ranges in the east. To support the species’ recovery, the government has established protected areas totaling 3.6 million hectares, about 70% of the snow leopard’s known habitat. Eleven leopards have been fitted with satellite collars to monitor their movements and guide conservation measures. Sharbiev also spoke about Kazakhstan’s ongoing efforts to reintroduce the Turanian tiger. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, two tigers brought from the Netherlands successfully survived their first winter in the country in 2024. A 415,000-hectare nature reserve, Ile-Balkhash, has been established in Almaty region to support the reintroduction program. Extinct in Kazakhstan since the mid-20th century due to poaching, agriculture, and habitat destruction, the Turanian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata) is being gradually reintroduced. Three to four additional tigers are expected to arrive from Russia in 2026. To restore the predator’s natural prey base, authorities have released 205 Bukhara deer into the Ile-Balkhash reserve between 2018 and 2024, relocated more than 100 kulans, and increased populations of roe deer and wild boar. As also previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is simultaneously working to restore populations of the Przewalski’s horse, alongside the Turanian tiger and snow leopard.

Endangered Species

“I Came To Pay the Fine”: In Kazakhstan, a Bear Pays an Unexpected Visit to a Government Office

Efforts to protect wildlife in Kazakhstan, particularly rare and endangered species, have begun yielding results. Animals listed in the national Red Book are increasingly venturing into human settlements. While some encounters are harmless or even humorous, others pose real dangers. A Curious Visitor in Serebryansk On August 18, a large brown bear wandered into the central square of Serebryansk, a city in East Kazakhstan. CCTV footage captured the bear approaching the city administration building. The bear had previously been seen on the city’s outskirts in early August, prompting residents to alert the forestry and hunting emergency response team. These teams are typically dispatched to relocate animals in distress or posing threats. However, the inspectors were unable to locate the bear, and it eventually made its way to city hall. Local residents responded with humor, joking on social media that the bear had come to pay a fine or meet the mayor. Despite the levity, city officials issued a serious warning, urging residents to stay indoors after 6 p.m. until the bear could be safely relocated. They also cautioned that feeding the bear or attempting selfies could be fatal. The authorities also reminded the public of basic safety rules in areas inhabited by predators: never approach bear cubs, as their mothers may become aggressive, and do not attempt to run from a bear unless immediate shelter is available. Even well-fed bears can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h. Bear sightings are relatively common in East Kazakhstan, with reports this summer from Ridder, the Sibinsk Lakes area, and the village of Bobrovka in Glubokovsky district. Bears in the Red Book and Beyond Two subspecies of brown bears inhabit Kazakhstan: the Tianshan brown bear, which lives in the Tian Shan and Dzungarian Alatau mountains, and the South Siberian brown bear, found in the Altai region. The Tian Shan brown bear is listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book of endangered species, while the South Siberian bear is still legally hunted under regulated conditions. According to the Ministry of Ecology, the South Siberian brown bear population rose from 3,265 in 2022 to 3,578 in 2023. Hunting is permitted in limited numbers and only under supervision. The red-listed Tianshan brown bear population remains smaller. As of 2023, experts estimated 500-600 individuals nationwide. In Ile-Alatau National Park, partly located within Almaty city limits, about 70 Tianshan bears were recorded in 2022. The park regularly hosts educational events to raise awareness of the species. Elsewhere, roughly 270 Tianshan brown bears inhabit Kazakhstan’s portion of the Tien Shan, and more than 350 live in the Zhetysu Alatau. Dangerous Neighbors Despite conservation gains, human-bear encounters can end tragically. A tourist in Serebryansk recalled that in 2023, a female bear and her cubs foraged for food in summer cottages, destroying gardens and evading attempts to drive them away. A more serious incident occurred in May 2020 in the Almaty region, when a Russian man was fatally attacked by a bear while returning from a fishing trip. Mistaking a bear cub for...

wildlife

Kyrgyz Authorities Tighten Hunting Regulations

Kyrgyzstan has introduced stricter hunting regulations, updating the rules for the first time in a decade. The new regulations govern hunting farms, the hunting of wild animals -- including species listed as endangered in Kyrgyzstan's 'Red Book' -- and define the rights and responsibilities of hunters. Stricter Control Over Hunting Activities Under the revised rules, simply being present in hunting grounds within specially protected natural areas while carrying firearms, pneumatic weapons, or throwing weapons is now considered hunting. The same applies if an individual is found with traps, snares, or game, regardless of whether they were caught in the act of hunting. Hunting in Kyrgyzstan is now only allowed with the following criteria: Possession of a valid hunting license issued by the relevant authorities; Payment of the state fee for hunting; A police permit for the possession, carrying, and use of firearms. Additionally, foreign hunters can now only participate in hunting tours when accompanied by a gamekeeper. Approved Hunting Methods and Seasonal Restrictions The law specifies approved hunting methods, allowing the use of: Smooth-bore and rifled firearms (except for hunting birds); Crossbows and bows; Traps (within size restrictions); Hunting dogs and birds of prey for tracking game. The hunting season may be shortened by up to 15 days, depending on environmental conditions and the biological cycles of wild animals. Additionally, hunting is now banned on Tuesdays and Wednesdays year-round, designated as "quiet days." Limits on Hunting of Endangered Species The new regulations set strict quotas for the hunting of wild animals in Kyrgyzstan. “It is prohibited to hunt wild animals and birds that are not included in the official list of authorized hunting species. Hunting of Red Book-listed wildlife, birds of prey, and songbirds is allowed only by a decision of the authorized state body, with a maximum limit of 1% of the total population,” the law states. Foreign hunters, in particular, are drawn to endangered argali and Marco Polo rams, which are listed in Kyrgyzstan’s Red Book. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, a U.S. citizen attempted to smuggle parts of a hunted argali back to the United States for cloning. Unlimited Hunting of Wolves and Jackals One notable exception to the new restrictions is wolves and jackals, which pose a serious threat to rural communities. Unlike other species, their hunting is neither restricted nor subject to quotas. These predators frequently attack livestock, and as a result, villagers often offer significant bounties for their removal.

wildlife

Endangered Great Bustard Named Tajikistan’s Bird of the Year

The great bustard, also known as the red-breasted bustard, has been named the bird of the year for 2025 in Tajikistan. The decision, announced on December 11, followed a vote by the National Academy of Sciences. The rare bird, locally called dugdogi zebo, is listed in both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and the Red Book of Tajikistan, signifying its endangered status. Since 2007, Tajikistan has annually designated a bird of the year to raise awareness about avian conservation. Previous honorees include an owl, corncrake, pheasant, paradise flycatcher, Tibetan eagle, peregrine falcon, white stork, and oriole. The common turtle dove has held the title this year. The great bustard resides in Tajikistan as both a breeding and migratory species. Experts estimate that only 23 breeding pairs inhabit the country, though the population temporarily rises to 50-60 individuals during migration periods. Slightly larger than a domestic hen, male great bustards have a body length of 65-75 cm and weigh between 1.8 and 3.2 kg, significantly smaller than the common bustard, which can weigh up to 15 kg. Omnivorous by nature, the bird’s diet includes fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, locusts, beetles, and small reptiles. Known for their cautious behavior, great bustards avoid human contact and prefer to hide or flee when threatened. Their average lifespan in the wild is approximately 20 years. Globally, the International Bustard Conservation Foundation, supported by the UAE government, leads efforts to protect the species. To date, the foundation has bred over 480,000 bustards in captivity and released 285,000 into the wild. In Kazakhstan, the foundation releases great bustards into the wild while simultaneously issuing hunting licenses for $1,280 per bird, catering to Arab hunters. Uzbekistan hosts an Emirati conservation center in the Kyzylkum Desert, dedicated to breeding and protecting the species, as well as releasing them into their natural habitat. Despite these international initiatives, Tajikistan has yet to leverage Arab funding or hunting tourism to support conservation efforts. Utilizing such resources could bolster the great bustard population while generating additional economic benefits.