Indian Crested Porcupine
Status: Category VII, Lower Risk/least concerned, LR/lc, poorly studied species.
Distribution general and in the country. South of Western Europe, Front and Middle Asia, India, Kyrgyz Ridge, Talas, as well as Fergana and Chatkal Ridges. There are reports of encounters in Chong-Kemin and Boom Gorge.
Habitat. Associated with the rugged terrain of foothill and mid-mountain areas, inhabits altitudes up to 2300 m. In the Talas and Chatkal Ridges, it prefers lower zones, densely overgrown with shrubs, near streams and other water sources. In the Kyrgyz Ridge, it is more commonly found in the foothills, in areas with soft soil and dense thickets of reeds.
Population. Extremely rare, but there is no specific data.
Life style (life cycles). Settles in small colonies, but recently, due to a decrease in numbers, it is found alone. It leads a nocturnal lifestyle, digs burrows independently, which can be permanent (with several exits to the surface) and feeding (with one exit and a non-branching tunnel). Breeds once a year, in April 2-5 young are born, which can lead an independent life by the end of July. Feeds in summer on green parts of plants, fruits, berries, and seeds. May enter gardens and vegetable patches. Less active in winter, feeds on the bark of young trees, branches, and roots of herbaceous plants.
Limiting factors. In some years, due to deep snow cover and severe soil freezing, it dies from hunger. But mainly due to poaching [4].
Breeding (keeping in captivity). Kept and bred in the Almaty Zoo and at the Biopolygon of the Institute of Seismology of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, 7 individuals also live in the Shymkent and Karaganda zoos [4].
Existing conservation measures. Protected in Sary-Chelek and Padysha-Ata, Besh-Aral reserves, in the national parks "Besh-Tash", "Kara-Shoro", as well as in Ala-Archa. Included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.
Recommended conservation measures. Establishment of zoological reserves in areas with remaining populations.
Jeyre, chutkjor
Indian Crested Porcupine
Hystrix indica Kerr, 1792
Status: Category VII, Lower Risk/least concerned, LR/lc. Inhabits in foothills and midlands up to 2,300 m (7,500 feet) in Kyrgyz, Talas, Chatkal, Fergana Mountainous Ridges as well as in Chong-Kemin Valley and Boom Gorge. Prefers bush zones next to springs and small ponds. No exact data on stock numbers. Nocturnal animal, digs burrows with several holes. Delivers 2-5 young animals in July. Feeds on green parts of vegetation, fruits, cherries, seeds. Less active in winter, feeds on young tree barks, branches, grass roots. Limiting factors are cold and snowy winters and poachers. There are successful cases of captivity breeding in Kazakhstan. Protected in Sary-Chelek, Padysha-Ata and Besh-Aral zapovedniks (protected areas), in Besh-Tash, Kara-Shoro, Ala-Archa National Parks. Included in the Kazakh Red Book. It is recommended to establish zoological reservations in suitable habitats.
