The following experts took part in the press conference: Roman Vasilievich Yashchenko, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Editor-in-Chief of the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Marina Alexandrovna Chirikova, Deputy Director General for Science; and Aydyn Baurzhanovich Yeszhanov, Head of the Laboratory of Arachnology and Other Invertebrates.
In his presentation, “The Red Book of Animals of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Research on Rare and Endangered Animal Species,” R.V. Yashchenko highlighted:
- The updates made to the Red Book;
- How the expansion of specially protected natural areas affects the conservation of rare and endangered species (illustrated by the Bukhara deer, kulan, argali, and goitered gazelle);
- Measures taken to protect and restore populations of specific animal species (e.g., snow leopard and houbara bustard);
- International cooperation on reintroduction programs for the Przewalski’s horse and tiger in Kazakhstan;
- Efforts to restore populations of kulan and saiga;
- The concept for biodiversity conservation in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- New research methods and technologies (camera traps, satellite transmitters, GIS, electronic databases, molecular-genetic methods), etc.
M.A. Chirikova discussed the essence of the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan, why it is necessary to regularly update the list of rare and endangered animal species in Kazakhstan, which species (21 in total) and why they were removed from the list, which species (11) have instead been included in the new list, and how the names (Latin and/or Kazakh and/or Russian) of 59 animal species were revised in line with current taxonomic changes.
This 5th edition of the Red Book is published in both Kazakh and Russian. In addition to a list of species, it contains essays with information on distribution, biology, limiting factors, and necessary conservation measures, along with updated distribution and migration maps for animal species, illustrations based on photographs of the animals, and a complete list of references.
Following the experts’ presentations from the Institute of Zoology, a Q&A session was held for journalists.
March 12, 2025