ASTANA -- Kazakh Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev recently discussed vital conservation efforts during a government meeting. The focus was on restoring populations of rare species, including the snow leopard and Przewalski's horse, as well as preserving other endangered animals in Kazakhstan.
Key highlights from the meeting included:
Over 220 species of animals are listed in Kazakhstan's Red Book, with efforts increasing the populations of several species.
The number of Tugai deer has risen from 350 to 1,147, while kulan numbers increased from 1,112 to 4,493.
Modern monitoring systems, including satellite telemetry, are being used to track snow leopards, with their population expanding from a critical level of the 1990s to over 180 individuals today.
A Houbara Bustard Reproduction Center has been established in Turkistan, releasing nearly 73,000 bustards into the wild since 2009. Additionally, the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve was created to aid in the restoration of the Turan Tiger population. This includes relocating deer and boars to enhance the natural food supply.
Efforts to reintroduce the Przewalski's horse are also underway, with seven horses brought from the Prague Zoo to the Altyn Dala Reserve in June, and plans to introduce 40 more by 2029.