From July 28 to 29, 2025, the team of the Ilbirs Foundation, together with representatives of the Department for Biodiversity Conservation and Protected Areas (DBCPT), conducted a practical training for the rangers of the Naryn State Nature Reserve.

The main focus of the training was monitoring and survey methods for wild mountain ungulates. Different approaches to organizing and conducting research were reviewed, including the strengths and weaknesses of various methods and their applicability in high-mountain environments. Special attention was given to improving practical skills for wildlife observation in natural habitats.

During the session, the results of joint research on the Tien Shan maral population, carried out by the Ilbirs Foundation staff and rangers of the Naryn Nature Reserve and Salkyn-Tor Nature Park in 2023–2025, were presented in detail. It is important to note that the maral surveys were conducted using a methodology specifically developed under the CAMCA project in Central Asia. Additionally, the first results of implementing the SMART program in the Naryn State Nature Reserve were shared, and the foundation’s staff addressed questions raised by the rangers 🔎. A. Kankuliev, a leading specialist from DBCPT, also provided participants with an overview of the legal and regulatory framework of the Kyrgyz Republic on protected area conservation.

Despite the busy agenda, the rangers showed strong interest, actively engaged in discussions, and enthusiastically practiced new field skills. Such training activities help strengthen staff capacity and enhance the effectiveness of nature conservation efforts. Presenting and discussing the final results of joint monitoring — with maps, graphs, and conclusions — helps rangers understand the importance of their contribution to research.

The training was organized as part of the CAMCA project.