Many red-listed wild animals inhabit the parks of the Talas region, including the snow leopard, brown bear, and argali. There is no precise data on how many animals may inhabit the parks. For example, the number of snow leopards is estimated by rangers to be around 5 individuals, identified visually based on the unique patterns on their fur. However, some animals may be very cautious, avoiding human attention, and the camera traps will help address this issue by capturing them in the absence of humans. Additionally, they will significantly complicate conditions for poachers.
- The state lacks specialists and resources to carry out full-scale monitoring and implement all measures for the conservation of biodiversity and endangered populations. The local population is either uninformed or does not understand the uniqueness and value of rare species populations, or they participate in the extermination of rare species for immediate profit. Meanwhile, rare species populations could become a hallmark of the Talas region, a potential for attracting investments to the area. Therefore, it is necessary to draw public attention to the state of wildlife in the region, to promote monitoring of rare and endangered animals in Kyrgyzstan. It is essential to foster intolerance among the population towards poaching, the extermination of wildlife and its inhabitants, - notes Zamirbek Koychumanov, project leader. - We want to demonstrate that the state of the natural parks in the Talas region, as a potential resource, requires effective management. Today, this is impossible without involving the public and local communities.
As part of the project, the organization intends to build a model for the interaction of government agencies, public organizations, and civil activists for monitoring the state of natural parks in the Talas region. Training seminars have already been held for specialists from the natural parks and forestry of two districts in the Talas region on the proper installation and operation of camera traps and GPS navigators, as well as on mapping, processing photo, video, and audio materials. The audio and video materials obtained from the installed equipment will be processed and systematized. Thus, a foundation will be laid for creating a database on the state of natural parks, accounting for rare species and populations. This experience may also be applied in other natural parks of the Kyrgyz Republic.