Additionally, hunters have observed an increase in the number of wolves, which may threaten livestock. In this regard, measures are being taken to control their population. In recent years, the number of wild boars has also increased, which sometimes attack livestock, causing damage to farmers. In the village of Zardaly, where only Muslims reside, hunting boars is not practiced due to religious prescriptions, leading to crop damage both in summer and winter.
It is also worth noting that the population of the snow leopard, listed in the Red Book, has increased. A special headquarters has been established in the region for its protection, which has contributed to the growth of their numbers. Members of the headquarters closely monitor outsiders in the area. Snow leopards do not pose a threat to people or livestock. Shepherds report that there are three gorges near Zardaly where these rare predators are believed to live. They were rarely encountered before, but now they are seen almost every time one goes into the mountains. Shepherds see females with cubs and find their dens, but do not disturb them, as these animals do not harm those who do not bother them. “It seems that there is some kind of non-aggression agreement between people and wild animals,” added Akylbek Dilshatov, chairman of the Kara-Bak ayil council.
The village of Zardaly is part of the Kara-Bak ayil district of the Batken region.
According to information provided by the Batken regional office of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, winter accounting work on wild animals in the Batken region has been completed. The accounting was conducted both in the territories of the Surmatash and Sarkent reserves and beyond, to determine the number of rare species listed in the Red Book.
As a result of the accounting, the following animal species were recorded in the region:
- marten (suusar) — 712 individuals,
- snow leopard (ilbirs) — 45 individuals,
- lynx — 288 individuals,
- golden eagle — 383 individuals,
- porcupine — 357 individuals,
- eublefar (lizard, echkemer) — 116 individuals,
- argali — 144 individuals,
- brown bear — 7 individuals.
