Restoration Feat to Protect Many Native Animals

Following the near or total disappearance of various native species, Kazakhstan began a significant wildlife conservation program that proved effective.

“Specially protected natural areas covering 3.6 million hectares have been established in key snow leopard habitats. Currently, about 70 percent of their range is under official protection,” says chairman of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Daniyar Turgambayev.

Kazakhstan’s ambitious restoration program involves the broad protection of native habitats as well as the reintroduction of native species. So far, Przewalski’s horses, Turanian tigers, and snow leopards have been returned to – or revitalized in – their native lands. Before these efforts, Przewalski’s horses hadn’t been seen in Kazakhstan since the 1960s, the Turanian tiger since the 1950s, and snow leopards had fewer than 90 individuals left in the 1990s. Conservation has been an important area of work for Kazakhstan since the nation gained its independence, with overall biodiversity increasing thanks to the expansion of natural protected areas from 869,000 hectares to 30.9 million hectares. Kazakhstan is on track to lead Central Asia in reintroduction, preservation, and conservation programs.