October 7-12, 2024 the Ilbirs Foundation staff, along with Emilbek Umaraliyev, head of the monitoring and coordination department, scientific activity of Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Protected Areas under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic , and rangers from the Salkyn-Tor SNP and Naryn SNR, conducted a survey of Tien-Shan marals in the Naryn River valley.
This survey utilized a special methodology developed by us in 2023 as part of this project. The essence of the method lies in combining data from visual observation points, registration of male roaring, and encounters along routes to determine the absolute minimum population of Tien-Shan marals, their spatial distribution, and population metrics.
Importantly, the research provided data on mating periods and some ecological features of marals in the Naryn region. In high-altitude areas,the mating season was in full swing, with males roaring from the forest literally every minute of the survey, while reproductive activity had already ended in lower areas.
In addition to Tien-Shan marals, we encountered ibex, argali, roe deer, and wolves, highlighting the diversity of our ecosystem 💚.
This event was part of the Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation Project (#CAMCAproject).
#marals #ecology #CentralAsia #IlbirsFoundation #natureprotection #camcaproject