In one of the mountain gorges of the Moscow district in the Chuy region, a local resident named Azamat noticed a large herd of wild boars. Almost two dozen pigs and piglets were foraging on the slope, digging through the snow in search of roots and larvae. When Azamat decided to approach them on horseback, his attention was drawn to a huge boar, carefully watching him from under a fir tree. At that moment, he lost interest in getting closer to the herd.
“Boars in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan have become a common sight. In winter, they actively dig the ground on the slopes, searching for food under the snow. These animals form large herds that can number dozens of individuals of different ages. This season, rangers recorded a herd in the Chon-Kayindy gorge of the Jayil district, where they counted 57 boars and pigs,” shared information by ecologist Alexander Sosnovsky.
When gathering in herds, boars find it easier to break trails in the snow. Weaker individuals usually rely on the protection of the more experienced boars, which, although they keep their distance, guard the herd from predators such as wolves, lynxes, and jackals. During the winter period, they create a collective resting place called a "gaino," by piling up leaves, dry grass, and branches. Inside this structure, a pit is dug where the pigs sleep, huddled together. In extremely cold conditions, the outer pigs may freeze and sometimes try to move inside; however, it is usually the piglets and young pigs that receive warmth by staying in the center,” he added.
