Reserves and parks of Kazakhstan

Аksu-Zhabagly national reserve

Occupying considerable аrеа (over 128 thousand hectares) within altitudes of 1100 – 4100 meters above sea level, this reservation plays аn important role in preservation biological variety of the West Tien-Shan. Due to the last data, the number of preserved types represented bу the lollowing way: highest plants - over 1300; mushrooms- about 250; mosses, lichens, algae - bу 60-70; birds - 238 (including 150 - nesting); mammals - about 50; amphibia and creepers - 12; lishes - 2; invertebrates - over 2 thousand. Results of environmental and scientilic activity of the reserve а r е widely known in Kazakhstan and abroad. About thousand scientilic and popular scientilic pub l ications were sold out all over the world.
Last years Aksu-Dzhabagly is popular among scientists and ecological tourists from England, Germany, USA, Japan and other loreign countries.
Dzhabagly River goes out to the plain in live kilometers from the village. Неrе the reserve boundary runs, which was named b у names of main rivers originating in this territory.
The narrow lath of shady green of willows and birches along bluish swirling river goes away to the east, dodging bу а shallow ravine. Its south slope is steep, rocky and waterless, gentle terrace gashed bу numerous side tributaries in the middle part of the north for а good two dozens of kilometeгs to the tops stretches. Little b у little climb the mountain, the path of our lirst route passes.

Sights Aksu-Zhabagly of reserve

Aksu canyon

Is located about 20 km to south west from the central base of the Reserve the village Zhabagly. The canyon is as wide as deep (500 - 600m) and stretching along the Aksu River for 15 - 18 km . The stony slopes run down to the river, the banks of last are covered by unique “gallery” forest with a number of relict plant species.
Some of them (Rhaphidophyton regelii, Celtis caucasica, Onobrychis grandis) represent the remnants of great forest surrounded the coasts of ancient seas 20 - 60 million years ago. Many species are rare and endemic: Betula talassica, Sergia severzovii, Malus sieversii, Amygdalus petun nikovii, Tulipa greigii and others. You will find here the original plant Allium pskemese that belongs to one of the endangerous species of the World.
Among the rare and endemic animals inhabited the canyon there are the large reptile armored glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus) and the birds: paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) a symbol of the Reserve, whistling thrust (Myophonus caeruleus), sparrow hawk (Accipiter nisus), rock nutcracker (Sitta tephronota) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus). Every year a pair of black stork (Ciconia nigra) make their nest in the canyon. Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) are common mammals here.

Kshi - Kaindy and Ulken – Kaindy gorges

Are placed along the rivers with the same names in 12 km and 18 km accordingly to south-east from the Zhabagly Village.
Walking up along the gorges you will pass all mountain zones typical for the reserve. Among rare and endemic plants you will see tree like junipers (Juniperus semiglobosa), Betula talassica, Tulipa greigii, Juno coerulea. In zones of creeping juniper brush woods (Juniper turkestanica) and alpine meadows there are colorful capits of mountain flowers: Tulipa kaufmanniani, T. Tasistemenoides, Colchicum luteum, Thymus dmitrievae, Trollius altaicus, Morina kokanica, Leontopodium ochroleucum. Many of them are endemics of Western Tien-Shan Mountains or presently known only from the Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve (Scutellaria flabellulata).
Small pools and temporary ponds from mountain foothills to 3000m are inhabited with tetraploid green toad Bufo danatensis.
On the way along the tugai river forest you will meet unique rare birds like paradise flycatcher and whistling thrust, ouzel (Cinclus cinclus) hunting under speed water flow of mountain river, chukar (Alectoris chukar) and booted eagle. Steppe slopes are inhabited with long tailed marmot ( Marmota caudata).
At high altitude there is a great diversity of birds including a number of rare and endemic species: Hodgson's rosy finch (Leucosticte nemoricola), brown accentor (Prunella fulvescens), Luscinia pectoralis, horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), snow cock (Tetraogallus himalayensis), chough (Pyrrocorax pyrrocorax) and alpine chough (P. graculus). It is quite easy to see the large birds: black vulture (Aegyptius monachus), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus).
From the mammals there are brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellina), a big population about 60 bear specimens in the reserve, wild boar, Siberian ibex (Carpa sibirica). Near a wonderful waterfall Kshi-Kaindy you will find a nest of Aquila chrysaetus and glades of endemic plant Schrenkia kultiassovii. There are two small houses (see triangles on the map) for rest at altitude 1800m and 2100m on the way along the Gorges.

Kaskabulak depression

Is situated at altitude about 3000 m and about 30 km to south-east from the Zhabagly Village. This place is characterized by typical complex of high mountain plants: Scutellaria flabellulata, Leontopodium ochroleucum, Primula minkwitziae and animals: bearded vulture, snow cock, chough, alpine chough, Siberian ibex and very rare rodent red pika (Ochotona rutila). Kaskabulak Depression is the best place to see the wild sheep Ovis ammon which is rare and protected animal.
Other attraction to see is a famous “picture gallery” with a great number of pictures carved on a dark shining stones. There are wild and domestic animals, scenes of life and hunt drawing by ancient artist about VII V BC.