5.5 thousand gazelles and 3.6 thousand kulans counted in Altyn-Emel National Park
A count of red-listed animals was conducted in the Altyn-Emel National Park, Kazinform News Agency reports, citing the press service of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The annual winter survey was conducted by employees of the Zhetysu region territorial inspectorate, State Enterprise "PO Okhotzooprom", Institute of Zoology, and the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK). The survey was conducted in clear, windless weather, with seven groups of 20 surveyors counting animals both visually and by tracks.
The total population of gazelles and argali (mountain sheep) was determined to be approximately 5,500 and 190, respectively, following a two-day census. The population of kulans in the Altyn-Emel National Park was determined to be 3,600 individuals. This population represents the largest recorded in Kazakhstan.
The sustained growth in the hoofed population has enabled the strategic relocation of animals to their historical habitats. Last year, 87 animals were successfully relocated to the Altyn Dala, Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve, and Sozakskoye forestry.
The primary objective of the event is to inventory the populations of argali, kulan, and gazelle, which are listed in the Red Book of the country.
It was earlier reported that residents of Ushbulak village in the Zhetysu region have captured a rare footage of a snow leopard calf.
