New endangered species featured in Kazakhstan's Red Book
According to Roman Yashchenko, the senior researcher at the Institute of Zoology of Kazakhstan and the chief editor of the Red Book, Kazakhstan has made notable strides in boosting the populations of several endangered animal species in recent decades, Kazinform News Agency reports.
"To date, there are 227 species listed as rare and endangered in Kazakhstan. However, based on scientific research, we have proposed revising this list and reducing it to 217 species, which reflects positive changes in the populations of certain species," said Roman Yashchenko during a press briefing of the Regional Communications Service.
Special focus is placed on conserving the snow leopard, one of Almaty’s symbols. Around 70% of its habitat in Kazakhstan is protected within nature reserves. To monitor and study these animals, scientists use camera traps and satellite telemetry. So far, 11 snow leopards have been fitted with satellite collars, allowing better tracking of their migrations and behavior.
"Thanks to systematic measures, the population of snow leopards in Kazakhstan has increased from a critically low number of 80-100 individuals in the 1990s to approximately 160-180 individuals nowadays," emphasized Roman Yashchenko.
In 2024, two major projects focused on restoring the tiger and Przewalski’s horse entered their active phase. These species once roamed Kazakhstan but were completely wiped out.
Marina Chirikova, the deputy director of the Institute of Zoology, reported that 21 animal species had been removed from the Red Book as a result of their populations’ stabilization, including 19 invertebrates and two vertebrates. These species are no longer at risk of extinction. However, 11 new species have been added to the list, including three insects, two birds, and one mammal.
"For example, the population of the griffon vulture in the Karatau Mountains has decreased by 95% over the last 12 years. The black vulture, which numbered about 250 pairs in Kazakhstan in 2002, has almost disappeared from the region. The jungle cat has also been added to the list, as its presence in the country is confirmed only by old records," Marina Chirikova added.
As reported earlier, a snow leopard, listed as endangered, has been captured on camera once again in the Altyn-Emel National Park.