Bekzhan Berdikulov completed training in the course “Ecology of Animal Migration” at Lund University

Fifty young researchers from around the world gathered at Lund University (Sweden) to take part in the course “Ecology of Animal Migration”, designed for the advanced training of PhD students and doctoral candidates.

Group photo of the participants of the course Ecology of Animal Migration, Lund University, Sweden — **Group photo of the course “Ecology of Animal Migration”, Sweden.**

The Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan was represented at the training by Bekzhan Berdikulov, Acting Head of the Laboratory of Ornithology and Herpetology.

For two weeks, young scientists explored various methods and approaches to studying animal migration — from laboratory experiments to tracking long-distance movements of wild animals. The course covered evolutionary and ecological concepts of migration and provided insight into migration patterns of animals with different lifestyles, both aquatic and terrestrial.

The educational program included not only lectures but also a conference where participants presented research results of their institutions as well as their own studies on migration.

Presentation by Bekzhan Berdikulov at the training conference of the Animal Migration Ecology course — **Berdikulov Bekzhan presenting on bird tagging methods**

In his talk, Bekzhan Talgatuly described various tagging methods used in Kazakhstan to monitor bird migration. One of the key approaches is ringing. Since 1966, zoologists of the Institute have ringed more than 2.5 million birds. Data obtained from ring recoveries are used for mapping and modelling migration routes.

In Sweden, several bird ringing centres operate, and the course participants visited the ornithological station located on the Falsterbo peninsula.

Excursion to the Falsterbo peninsula – bird ringing centre — ***Falsterbo peninsula — ornithological station***

Modern technologies now allow tracking migration not only in large animals but also in amphibians, fish and even insects.

For example, insects can be tagged with nanoscale markers, while fish are tracked using acoustic or radio transmitters that send signals detected by receiver networks or underwater hydrophones, providing valuable data for species conservation, movement pattern analysis, habitat use and migration corridors.

Thanks to the participation of Berdikulov, an agreement was reached on collaboration between the Institute of Zoology and Lund University. A memorandum is planned to be drafted and signed in early 2026.

06.12.2025
Photo: Bekzhan Berdikulov