The Red Book of KyrgyzstanThe “Red Book” is a phrase used for a list of endangered species.

In 1985 the “Red Book” stated that 15% of the species of and 10% of the bird species mammals that are found in Kyrgyzstan were facing extinction. That means that there are recognised to be some 92 endangered species of animals (insects, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals) and 65 types of plants in Kyrgyzstan.

Legal protection for them began with the first law on hunting which was enacted in 1930, and in 1979 a decree was issued providing a list of protected species.

To protect the wide variety of both flora and fauna, Kyrgyzstan has created a number of special preserves, parks and natural reserves.

In some cases populations of animals are “relocated” to assist the preservation of the species – for example the wild nopar and maral.

Kyrgyzstan protects such rare animals as “dzheiran”, red wolf, “maral”, snow leopard (Bars), the Middle-Asian otter, the Mensbir marmot, Tien-Shan brown bear, Tien-Shan mountain sheep (arkhar) and “Marco Polo” sheep – amongst others.

Some of the animals found in Kyrgyzstan are recorded in “Red Book” of the International Nature Preserve Union – such as the snow leopard, the “Mensbir” marmot, the “dzheiran”, red wolf, and grey monitor lizard.



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