Karatau Nature Reserve

The Karatau Nature Reserve spans 34,400 hectares across the Western Tian Shan mountains, featuring deep gorges, pyramid peaks, and diverse geological formations.

The establishment of the reserve in March 2004 marked a turning point for wildlife conservation in Kazakhstan, becoming the country's newest protected zone.

Scientists at the reserve conduct research on endemic species, contributing to the discovery of new butterflies named after local researchers Luiza and Kambar Sambetov.

The reserve maintains strict environmental regulations for visitors, offering guided tours for wildlife observation, particularly of the Karatau mountain argali population.

The Karatau argali population has increased from 38 individuals in 2005 to over 1,300 today through dedicated conservation efforts within the reserve.

Location: Turkistan Region

Inception: March 1, 2004

Part of: Western Tian Shan

GPS coordinates: 43.71667,68.73333

Latest update: July 24, 2025 11:44