Wildlife Conservation - The Times Of Central Asia

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Wildlife Conservation

Uzbekistan Strengthens Protection of Argali Sheep and Other Rare Species

Uzbekistan is intensifying conservation efforts in its protected areas, with new data indicating a stable population of its endangered wild sheep, the Kyzylkum argali, in the Nurata State Nature Reserve. According to the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, the reserve is currently home to approximately 1,700-1,800 argali, also known as Severtsov’s wild sheep. Monitoring data collected in recent years show that the population has remained stable, highlighting the effectiveness of ongoing conservation and protection measures. The Kyzylkum argali is classified as an endangered species. It is listed in the national Red Book, included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, and protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which regulates international trade in vulnerable species. As a result, systematic monitoring of the population remains a priority for environmental authorities. Established in 1973, the Nurata State Nature Reserve is located in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region and plays a key role in preserving biodiversity in the Nurata mountain range. A total of 247 animal species have been recorded in the reserve, 31 of which are included in Uzbekistan’s Red Book. Specialists note that the stable argali population is closely linked to broader ecosystem protection measures, strengthened anti-poaching enforcement, and continuous scientific monitoring. Further progress is expected under the national development strategy “Uzbekistan - 2030,” which prioritizes environmental security, expansion of specially protected natural areas, and long-term conservation of rare plant and animal species. Officials state that protection measures for Red Book species will continue to be reinforced, with the aim of sustaining positive trends observed in Uzbekistan’s reserves, including the Nurata reserve, over the long term. The stable argali population in Nurata is increasingly cited by environmental authorities as an example of how consistent policy implementation and institutional oversight can contribute to preserving the country’s natural heritage.

Wildlife Conservation

Up to Eighty Persian Leopards Now Roam Turkmenistan

Between 60 and 80 Caucasian leopards, also known as Persian leopards, currently inhabit Turkmenistan, according to extensive monitoring conducted throughout 2025. The findings confirm not only the stable presence of this rare predator in key ecological zones but also provide encouraging signs of population recovery. A recent report by Conservation X Labs estimates Turkmenistan’s Persian leopard population at 60-80 individuals. Most breeding activity occurs within protected natural reserves, while border zones serve as critical migration corridors that support the dispersal and genetic diversity of the species. The Persian leopard is one of the largest leopard subspecies and plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity in Turkmenistan. The majority of the national population is concentrated along the Kopetdag Mountains, near the border with Iran. Camera trap data also confirms a significant presence in the Uly-Balkan Range, an area of ecological importance. It supports the potential repopulation of the Garabogazgol region and sustains habitat connectivity with neighboring Kazakhstan. The re-confirmed presence of leopards along the southern coast of Garabogazgol is viewed as a particularly meaningful indicator of the species’ gradual return to its historical range. In 2025, monitoring efforts were significantly expanded. A wide network of camera traps was deployed across key habitats, providing more accurate and consistent long-term data. The data confirms that individual leopards have been present in the same territories over multiple years. Notably, a third breeding female has now been recorded in the Uly-Balkan mountains, an important development for the species’ viability. Conservation X Labs researchers describe the findings as “an important step in the conservation of the species,” citing improvements in habitat quality, sufficient prey availability, and the cumulative impact of long-term conservation efforts. Despite this progress, the global outlook for the Persian leopard remains fragile. Experts estimate that the total wild population numbers between 750 and 1,044 individuals, including only 450-626 adults. The majority of these leopards live in fragmented and declining habitats across the region. As such, the subspecies is listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Turkmenistan’s leopard population thus serves as a rare example of regional recovery, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring, cross-border cooperation, and sustained habitat protection.

Wildlife Conservation

Why Tajikistan Chose the Desert Partridge as Its Symbol for 2026

Tajikistan has designated the desert partridge as its “Bird of the Year 2026”, a move environmentalists say could mark a turning point in the country’s approach to protecting fragile desert ecosystems. The National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan concluded its annual public vote by officially selecting the desert partridge, locally known as chil or kabki zirak, as the national avian symbol for the coming year. This rare and elusive species inhabits the southern and western desert zones of the country, areas that remain among the least studied in Tajikistan’s environmental landscape. Although no systematic population surveys exist, ornithologists agree that the desert partridge is in decline. Primary threats include habitat degradation, overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and the absence of long-term ecological monitoring. Environmental advocates hope the bird’s new status will encourage state-led conservation efforts in arid regions that have historically received little attention. Measuring 30-35 centimeters in length and weighing up to 450 grams, the desert partridge is ideally adapted to its environment. Its sandy plumage offers effective camouflage in rocky deserts, while distinctive dark stripes on its head help distinguish it from other species. The bird rarely flies, instead relying on swift footwork to navigate between shrubs. Its preferred habitat includes plains, foothills, and dry plateaus. One of the most resilient species in Central Asia’s deserts, the partridge can survive without access to open water, making it a model of adaptation to extreme conditions. Scientists say the selection of the desert partridge is a conscious signal that Tajikistan must begin prioritizing the study and protection of desert ecosystems. The Bird of the Year status will facilitate comprehensive population monitoring and draw public and institutional attention to the environmental impact of climate change. In 2025, Tajikistan named the great bustard, one of its rarest bird species, as its bird of the year. Approximately 23 nesting pairs and up to 60 individuals during migration have been documented. Launched in 2007, the Bird of the Year program has previously featured notable species such as the eagle owl, blue magpie, white stork, Tibetan snowcock, hoopoe, peregrine falcon, swallow, golden eagle, oriole, goldfinch, turtle dove, and the beautiful bustard.

Wildlife Conservation

Samarkand’s CoP20 Opens with High-Stakes Debates on Wildlife Trade and Species Protection

The world’s largest conference on wildlife trade opened last week in Samarkand, drawing nearly 3,000 delegates to Uzbekistan for two weeks of critical negotiations that could reshape global conservation policy. The 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20) is being held in Central Asia for the first time, a region increasingly impacted by transcontinental wildlife trafficking routes connecting Africa and Asia. Hosted by Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, CoP20 carries the theme “CITES at 50 in Samarkand: Bridging Nature and People,” commemorating five decades of global conservation under the Convention and echoing the city’s legacy as a historic crossroads of commerce and ideas. One of the central issues dominating this year’s meeting is a series of proposals concerning African megafauna, particularly elephants, rhinos, and giraffes. These proposals, submitted by several African range states, challenge the extent to which legal trade in vulnerable species should be permitted, given decades of poaching and habitat degradation. Audrey Delsink, Senior Director at Humane World for Animals, warned of the dangers these proposals pose. “All the species proposals concerning African megafauna are highly concerning because of the impact they will have on the respective species and the repercussions on illegal trade should the proposals be accepted,” she told The Times of Central Asia. Among the most controversial is a joint proposal by Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe to remove most southern African giraffe populations from CITES Appendix II. Delsink cautioned that this would create a fragmented regulatory regime, complicating enforcement. “It is very difficult to differentiate bones and pelts of the different species and subspecies, making it easy to launder endangered giraffe species through the system,” she said. With wild giraffe populations estimated at fewer than 120,000, any weakening of controls could prove disastrous. Similar concerns surround Namibia’s proposal to sell ivory from registered government stockpiles. Delsink warned that the legal ivory trade has historically masked illicit flows and could trigger renewed poaching. “Legal trade provides a cover for illegal ivory and fuels illegal trade, poaching, and consumer demand,” she said, noting that CITES members have rejected such proposals for nearly two decades. Central Asian countries, increasingly used as transit corridors for high-value wildlife contraband, are becoming key players in enforcement. Smuggling networks exploit Eurasian air, rail, and road links to move products such as ivory, rhino horn, and exotic animals. Delsink highlighted the “Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan (2025-2032),” signed this week by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as a major step toward regional coordination. The agreement commits signatories to harmonize laws and improve intelligence-sharing mechanisms. [caption id="attachment_40166" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: National Committee on Ecology of Uzbekistan[/caption] “Intelligence-led operations and rapid information exchange between agencies can disrupt organized crime networks that exploit porous borders,” Delsink said. She also underscored the need for customs modernization and officer training, supported by organizations such as TRAFFIC and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Beyond...

Wildlife Conservation

UN Meeting on Wildlife Trade Rules on Saiga, Striped Hyena

Delegates to a United Nations meeting on global wildlife commerce have approved a proposal by Kazakhstan to loosen trade restrictions on the saiga antelope, while rejecting a move by Tajikistan to tighten protections for the striped hyena. The decisions came in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where several thousand representatives from around the world have gathered for a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. The conference, which runs from November 24 to December 5, was last held in Panama in 2022. The decision to relax trade in saigas, whose horns are used in traditional medicine, is a response to the spectacular recovery of the species after it was close to extinction. Kazakhstan presided over this conservation success story, and the CITES decision amends a “zero export quota” to exclude saigas only from populations Kazakhstan. A CITES committee adopted the proposal by a vote of 111 in favor, 7 against, and 14 abstentions, reported the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, which covers U.N. environment and development negotiations. A proposal needs a two-thirds majority vote to be approved. More saiga safeguards were added in an amendment backed by Britain, the European Union and the United States, and the situation will be reviewed at the next CITES meeting in a few years. Mongolia, which has a smaller, more vulnerable population of saigas, had opposed Kazakhstan’s initiative. Some groups, including the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society, said the reopening of commercial trade in Kazakhstan’s saigas could increase consumer demand, promote poaching and put pressure on enforcement mechanisms. In the case of the striped hyena, Tajikistan unsuccessfully sought to persuade delegates to the wildlife trade meeting to place the species on Appendix I, a CITES designation that would effectively bar trade aside from with a few exemptions. The species, labeled “near threatened” by the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is currently on the much less restrictive Appendix III. Algeria, Iran and Kazakhstan were among countries that backed Tajikistan’s proposal, while Britain, the European Union, Zambia and Tanzania said the proposal doesn’t meet Appendix I criteria, according to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin. A CITES committee rejected Tajikistan’s proposal in “a secret ballot of 75 for, 47 against and 13 abstentions,” the bulletin said, indicating that proponents did not pass the two-thirds threshold. The striped hyena has a vast range that includes Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, but there is difficulty in obtaining data on the solitary, noctural species. Additionally, while habitat degradation and human-wildlife conflict are factors in the population’s decline, uncertainty over how much the illegal trade in the striped hyena is affecting its numbers may have raised questions about whether Tajikistan’s proposal was justified.

Wildlife Conservation

Tajikistan Seeks Stronger Protections for Striped Hyena at UN Wildlife Meeting

The striped hyena, listed as “near threatened” by international conservationists, has a vast range that includes Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, but is difficult to monitor because of its nocturnal, solitary habits in often rugged terrain. Now Tajikistan is proposing tighter international protections for the species at the highest-level meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. The United Nations gathering in Samarkand, Uzbekistan – the first in Central Asia - regulates trade in tens of thousands of species of animals and plants. It began on Monday and runs until the end of next week. The sharp decline in global shark and ray populations is an urgent concern, and delegates will consider new restrictions on the fin and shark meat trade that conservationists hope will fend off the threat of extinction for some species. Tajikistan’s proposal on behalf of the striped hyena aims for a similar outcome, noting a “marked decline in the population size in the wild” despite the difficulty in obtaining data. Some estimates put the number at significantly below 10,000, and the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species labels the species as “near threatened,” with “vulnerable” being the next category on a scale leading to extinction. The striped hyena’s range includes Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, according to the list. Israel has a relatively robust population and supports Tajikistan’s proposal. Habitat degradation, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal trade in the striped hyena, which is allegedly trafficked into the exotic pet industry or whose body parts are used in traditional medicine, are some of the reasons for the decline of the species. The striped hyena is currently listed in Appendix III of CITES regulations, under a 2014 request by Pakistan, where there were reports of illegal trade for circuses, captures for dog-fighting training, and myths and perceptions that the hyena was digging up graves and attacking people. Appendix III provides for some protections in the international trade in listed species. Tajikistan wants CITES to move the striped hyena into the far more restrictive Appendix I. “Appendix I includes all species threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade,” CITES says. “Trade in specimens of these species must be subject to particularly strict regulation in order not to endanger further their survival and must only be authorized in exceptional circumstances.” To upgrade protections for the species, Tajikistan will need to secure a two-thirds majority vote at the CITES conference. The striped hyena was thought to be extinct in Tajikistan for many years, though a sighting in 2017 restored hope. Tajikistan, which endured a civil war in the 1990s, warned in its proposal that conflict elsewhere was a threat to the species it hopes to save. “With the recent political instability in Afghanistan and generally across the larger region where several conflicts are ongoing, it is anticipated a significant increase in illegal wildlife trade, further endangering the striped hyena population across its entire global home range,” the proposal said.