 Kulan leaping from crate at the release site in Altyn Data Photo: FZS-Daniel Rosengren Just back from my first trip to Kazakhstan. On 24th October 2017, the first group of nine kulan (Asiatic wild ass) was released into an acclimatization enclosure on the edge of the Altyn Dala protected area in central Kazakhstan. The animals had been transported 1200 km by helicopter from Altyn Emel National Park in the southeast of the country. They will be released in early spring. This is the first step in a multi-year project that aims to restore the full range of large herbivores to this unique area of steppe habitat. I was able to support this project with my veterinary medical expertise in the capture and transport of wild equids. A real novelty and quite the thrill was flying 2400 km across Kazakhstan in 200-300 metres altitude in a 50 year old Russian-built Mi26 helicopter Read more here  Mi-26 helicopter loading kulan in Altyn Emel NP Photo: FZS-Daniel Rosengren  A kulan in anaesthesia being prepared for transport and collaring Photo: FZS-Daniel Rosengren
 Over 200 Takhis are roaming in the Gobi B SPA! For the first time since the beginning of reintroduction 1992, more than 200 Takhis are roaming the steppe of the Gobi B SPA. In this time the population has developped successfully and has started to explore new areas. But it also had to survive two hard winters in which Dzud took the life of many animals. Read the entire story of the reintroduction project in the 25 year anniversary publication
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PK, Chris & FriendsPeriodic musings Archives
June 2019
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