Nature tour in Aksu-Jabagly reserve.

“Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Trip in Kishi-Kaindy and Aksu canyon.

The fauna of the preserve is rich and diverse. There are 238 species of birds, 42 species of mammals and other animals. Many of them are registered in the Kazakhstan Red Book of rare and endangered animals.
Among such animals are the Tien-Shan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), the Turkestani lynx (Felis linx isabellinus), the argali (Ovis ammon), several species of the falcon and the eagle: the lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the saker falcon (Falco cherrug), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus).
The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex), the maral (Cervus elaphus), the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the wolf (Canis lupus), the fox (Vulpes), the brown bear (Ursus arctos), the porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), the stone marten (Martes foina) and the ermine (Mustela erminea) are also found there.
The preserve is the habitat of the extinct wildlife species  the snow leopard (Uncia uncia). Unfortunately, poachers can easily get into the preserve. There are even professional hunters who earn their living killing 'to order' rare animals  most of all the snow leopard, the Tien Shan brown bear, the argali.
The flora of the preserve is highly endemic. 27 species of plants do not occur anywhere in nature except in Aksu-Zhabagly and the contiguous ranges of the West Tien Shan. There are 1279 species of wild flora growing in the preserve and 57 of them are registered in the Red Book.
The wild tulips are of great interest. They are the Greig's and the water-lily tulips (Tulipa greigii and Tulipa kaufmanniana). The cultured varieties grown in Holland are derived from them. The Greig's tulips break into bloom in spring.
Their eight-petal corona grows to 30 centimeters across diameter. Such rare and endangered species as the maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) and the Juno coerulea can also be found here. The ironwood (Lignum vitae) is of great interest  rather than floating, the wood sinks in water like a stone.
Koksai Gorge is situated in the northeast part of the preserve. The easiest way to get there is from Taraz. The gorge is the buffer zone of the preserve. The territory is valuable for its Tugai forests (rare and near extinct species of tree), archa juniper sparse forests, mountain subalpine meadows and meadow-steppes.
The gorge is famous for its virginal nature, for example, it is possible to see wolves at the bottom, near the river. There is a Museum in the Zhabagly Village (in the building of the preserve administration) is interesting to visit since it gives general information about Aksu-Zhabagly.
There are many opportunities for trekking in the preserve, a lot of routes for hiking in the mountains that run throughout its territory.

Authority:
http://www.discovery-central-asia.com

Photos by:
Alexander Petrov.