Meeting of Central Asian Biologists to Establish Regional Working Group on Mountain Sheep❗

From July 2 to 4, 2025, an important regional meeting took place in Almaty, bringing together wildlife specialists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a new regional working group dedicated to the study and conservation of mountain sheep — WISPA-CA (Wild Sheep Partnership for Central Asia).

During the three-day session, participants discussed pressing challenges and priorities for conserving mountain sheep subspecies across Central Asia. Topics included taxonomy, population monitoring, genetic research, and threats related to habitat degradation and transboundary barriers.

A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to create WISPA-CA. Representatives of nine organizations, including two governmental scientific institutes, signed the document, underscoring the high level of interagency and scientific cooperation. Additionally, a Resolution of the working group was adopted, reflecting a shared position and directions for joint activities.

The meeting also elected a Chair and Co-Chair of WISPA-CA, ensuring organizational stability and coordination of future steps.

The establishment of WISPA-CA marks a new stage in regional collaboration for the conservation of one of Central Asia’s key mountain ecosystem species and opens opportunities for joint scientific projects, data exchange, and strengthened nature protection.