Verkhnekoksu State Zoological Nature Sanctuary

Verkhnekoksu State Zoological Nature Sanctuary – a republican-level zoological sanctuary established in 1980 for the protection and reproduction of the fauna and birds of the Zhetysu region.

Geographical location

Located in the Panfilov and Kerbulak districts of Zhetysu region. Area 240 thousand ha.

Relief

The sanctuary occupies the central part of the Tokzhanbay ridge of the Zhetysu (Dzungarian) Alatau at the sources of the Koksu, Korgas, Bolshoy Osek and Malyy Osek rivers. The terrain is high and gently mountainous. At an altitude of 2500 m above sea level there is a coniferous (larch and spruce) forest belt which gives way to a higher alpine meadow belt, subalpine and alpine grasslands.

Fauna

The sanctuary is inhabited by saiga, argali, maral, wild boar, roe deer, musk deer, white hare, white pheasant, gray partridge, black grouse, capercaillie, bearded vulture; there are 8 rare and endangered species listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book (Zhetysu ibex, saiga, etc.). Hunting of animals, shooting of birds, obstruction of the life of protected animals, burning of plants, as well as the use of various poisonous substances are prohibited.