THE FAUNA OF KAZAKHSTAN Prepared-Prassulov/A Checked-Omarova/U Group- АП р

Due to its physical extent and contrast of habitats, Kazakhstan is famous for its great variety of wildlife. For various reasons, many species of animals have been threatened. Some populations are more stable, while others are on the verge of extinction. Nevertheless, because Kazakhstan is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, the local nature preserved its original appearance much longer than in other parts of the world. Distribution of animal and plant life. Distribution of fauna and flora of Kazakhstan is determined by the habitat. The mountains of the Tien Shan and Altai sheltered certain types of animals, steppes with deserts of Western and Central Kazakhstan, quite different. The large rivers and lakes of the country also serve as a permanent refuge for diverse fauna communities.

Snow leopard The most famous, even legendary, of the wild animals of Kazakhstan is the snow leopard, or the snow leopard (Uncia uncia). It is depicted on some early Scythian gold ornaments, which are more than 2000 years old. Since snow leopards are one of the most shy and secretive mammals on the planet, living in hard-to-reach places, almost no one sees them. His alleged propensity to kill domestic animals (sheep and goats) often aroused fear among the villagers. However, inaccessibility has provided this animal with a mythical reputation that excites the imagination of a person from time immemorial. The snow leopard has a long thick gray fur, covered with dark rosettes and spots. He can reach the weight of an adult male (about 70 kg). The long tail (up to 1 m) is used by the animal to maintain balance in a complex rocky terrain. Many of the stories associated with the snow leopard are probably apocryphal. Although, it is believed that he has excellent ability to move and can make 7-meter jumps. Serious attempts are being made to preserve the habitat of the snow leopard, and the threat of poaching has been significantly reduced. Nevertheless, till now on the markets of the Far East illegal skins and parts of the snow leopard body are sold.

Tian-Shain brown bear Nother important large mammal from the mountainous terrain of Kazakhstan is the Tien Shan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), also known as the "red bear" because of the reddish shade of the coat, which is becoming increasingly rare. However, some tour operators offer trips to the Aksu-Jabagli nature reserve to view these rare animals, and such a business motivates their protection. In the steppes of Kazakhstan, the most important representatives of the fauna are five species and subspecies of wild sheep, similar to the more famous sheep Marco Polo. All of them are registered as endangered species in the IUCN Red List. The most famous of them is:

Kazakhstan mountain ram The Kazakhstan mountain sheep (Ovis ammon collium), compared to scientists, the population of these animals still totals about individuals. They are found only in a small area behind the hills near the city of Karaganda. A limited and controlled program of hunting for these wild rams was launched. Because the hunting fees are in the region of several thousand dollars for the animal, these funds are used to save the wild population. Mouflons and the Trans-Caspian urials - images to other rare wild rams living in the steppes and on the low hills of Kazakhstan

Saiga The recent fate of the saiga in Siberia, Central Asia in general, and the steppes of Kazakhstan is very sad. Saiga has been an important source of protein for the peoples of Central Asia for centuries and hunting virtually without affecting its population. However, according to zoologists, ten years after 1993, the saiga population in the plains of Russia and Kazakhstan declined from over one million individuals to 30,000. The main reason for the decline in the population was selective hunting for males for their horns. In large areas, only females remained, which completely violated the sex ratio and, consequently, the fragile system of reproduction of these antelopes. One of the most affected areas was the hostile and scorched Desert Betpak-Dala in the southern part of the Karaganda region on the border with the Zhambyl region. The reason for this environmental disaster had little to do with Kazakhstan itself, which was basically a passive victim. In the early 1990s, the number of African rhinoceroses was greatly reduced due to the use of its horn in Chinese medicine. At the same time, it was assumed that the saiga horn had a similar medical effect. To reduce the demand for the rhino horn, environmentalists began to call for its replacement by the horn of the saiga, which at that time was not a vanishing species, and no one imagined the impending danger until it was too late. It seems, against the background of the decline in demand for the rhino horn, the demand for saiga antlers in China has grown at an arithmetic rate. At the same time, impoverished hunters and the unemployed in Russia and Kazakhstan, desperate for new sources of income, saw saigas as a quick source of income. A kilogram of horn could bring a sum equivalent to a monthly wage. A kilogram of horn could bring a sum equivalent to a monthly wage. Illegal hunting flourished, and poachers killed saigas with powerful rifles, using cars and motorcycles to travel through the desert. Underfunded, poorly financed local authorities could not cope with poachers who carried out their illegal activities hundreds of kilometers from large settlements.

Musk deer Similar to the saiga, fate threatens the musk deer (Moschus mosvhiferus), who live in the foothills of the Altai, because of the demand for their musk for the basis in perfumery. The forest habitat, especially across the border in Siberia, is threatened by excessive deforestation, but the main danger comes from poachers.

Eurasian wolf Not all steppe animals suffered the same fate that the saiga antelope or musk deer, who were victims of special circumstances, as well as changes in the markets of traditional Chinese medicines. The Eurasian wolf (Curtis lupus lupis) continues to thrive in the steppes of Kazakhstan. He lives in symbiotic relations with antelopes, gazelles and other herbivorous inhabitants of the Kazakh steppes. Given the continued urbanization and industrialization of Eastern Europe, it is expected that the Eurasian wolf finds refuge in the more remote and less noisy areas of Central Asia, so the wolf population of Kazakhstan is actually growing. This trend is confirmed by rural residents. Experts say that in Kazakhstan there are at least 60,000 wolves, and each year they destroy three more large numbers of cattle, sheep and goats. Of course, the wolf is not popular with the inhabitants of the steppe, and hunting for wolves is a usual pastime, although it is controlled by local authorities.

Caracal Another important, but much more rare predator of the Kazakh steppes and deserts is the caracal. Probably, no more than 200 individuals remained on the territory of the country, mainly in the Mangistau region in the Caspian. Occurs in many countries of Africa and Asia, the caracal reaches the northernmost limits of its range in Kazakhstan.

Kaspian seal The only marine mammal found in Kazakhstan is the Caspian seal (Phoca caspica). It was estimated that at the beginning of the 20th century about 1.2 million individuals inhabited the Caspian Sea, but by the beginning of this century only 400 thousand remained. The main reason for the decline in the population was hunting. In 2000, there were also large-scale extinctions, which were first explained by oil pollution, but later it became clear that the Caspian seals had died from a virus associated with canine plague.

Birds The geographical position and diversity of Kazakhstan's landscapes provide shelter for about 500 species of birds, including 396 nesting species, the rest - migrating or wintering species. Some of them are familiar, but beautiful and rare birds can also be found, such as flamingos, red- breasted goosefish, duck, white-headed sip, black vulture, burial ground, saker, black grouse, white crane, crocheted, grouse, black-bellied peasant, white-winged lark and many others.