Karoi State Nature Sanctuary (complex)

Karaoi Sanctuary – a state zoological sanctuary. The sanctuary was established in 1979 in the Balkhash district of Almaty region with the purpose of protecting rare and endangered animals. In 2006, by a decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it was changed to the Karaoi State Natural Complex Sanctuary. Area 5.1 thousand km².

Relief

It includes floodplain, meadow, steppe, and loess soils of the Ili River basin.

Flora and Fauna

Since the sanctuary is adjacent to the state enterprises protecting the Bakañas and Kürti forest and the animal world, a breeding program is prepared in this area. Restrictions have been placed on indiscriminate cutting of the breeding areas, and measures for their protection have been implemented.

In the sanctuary area, animals such as elk, boar, etc. reside, and now rare species listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book are protected, including black grouse, swan, black stork, curlew, white-tailed eagle, grey eagle, and others.