Almaty State Complex Nature Sanctuary

Almaty sanctuary – a state sanctuary established in 1978 in the territories of the Enbekshiyqazaq, Karasai, Rayimbek and Talgar districts of Almaty region for the protection of rare and endangered animals. It is located at an altitude of 1000–3400 m above sea level. Its area is 724 thousand ha.

Flora and fauna

More than 590 species of plants (mosses, lichens, fungi, wild apple, apricot, hawthorn, yellowwood, etc.) and 180 species of mammals and birds (maral, argali, ibex, elk, saiga, wild boar, bear, Turkmenian kulan, eagles, kites, bustards, steppe eagle, etc.) inhabit the sanctuary. The Tien Shan brown bear, the lynx, the Central Asian stone marten, the Turkmenian kulan, argali, saiga, oryx, bearded vulture, saker falcon, hawk, and the blue bird of Kazakhstan are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Also there are forest roe deer, marmot, hare, yellow ground squirrel and white weasel.