Stone marten or white-breasted marten / Suusar / Beech marten

Stone marten or beech marten

Status: VII category, Lower Risk/least concerned, LR/lc. A rare species with a low population.

Distribution in general and in the country. Mountainous areas of Europe and Asia. In Kyrgyzstan, it inhabits all mountain ranges [3]. The subspecies Martes (Cartes) foina intermedia Severtzov, 1873 is found in Kyrgyzstan.

Habitat. Preferred biotopes are stony, large debris accumulations and screes in the mid-mountain and high mountain areas.
Population. Quite low, less than one individual per 10 km². These figures are somewhat higher in the mountains in the south of the republic and very low in the Central and Eastern Tien Shan [6,3].

Life style (life cycles). A non-hibernating predator, active throughout the year. It mainly hunts small rodents and pikas, pursuing them among rocks and screes. Birds also occupy a noticeable place in its diet [8]. It has individual territories but can move for various reasons. Active at dusk and at night, it stays in shelters during the day. The mating season occurs from June to August, and young are born the following year in April to May. The litter consists of 2 to 5 young, which open their eyes a month later and become independent after three months [8]. They reach sexual maturity in the second or third year [8,9].

Limiting factors. Apparently, low fertility, insufficient food base, poaching, and harsh snowy winters.

Breeding (keeping in captivity). It is not of economic interest and is not bred.

Existing conservation measures. None developed.

Suusar

Beech marten
Martes (Martes) foina Ezxleben (1777)
Status: VII category, Lower Risk/least concerned - LR/lc. Rare species, occurs in all mountainous ridges in Kyrgyzstan. Prefers stony-rocky habitats in mid- and highlands. Density is low, less than 1 individual per 10 km², it is higher in the south, very low in Central and Eastern Tien Shan. The marten is active throughout the year. Feeds on small rodents and pikas, pursuing them among stones and rocks. It does not avoid hunting birds. The marten has individual territories but may roam from place to place. The mating season starts in June-August, and young animals appear in April-May. There are 2-5 young animals in the litter, which start to see light after one month. Limiting factors include low fertility, lack of food, poaching, and severe cold winters. No special protection measures are undertaken. It is recommended to reduce grazing around suitable habitats and combat poaching.