Ashgabat, August 21, 2024, The Europe Today: The Khazar Reserve, located on the southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea in western Turkmenistan, is set to captivate tourists visiting the Balkan region with its rich and diverse flora and fauna. Established in 1932 as an ornithological reserve, the Khazar Reserve was created to protect and study the largest wintering grounds for waterfowl and near-water birds in the southeastern Caspian.
Spanning 262,000 hectares, including a substantial sea area, the reserve is divided into three parts: Esenguly, Ogurjaly, and Khazar. It is home to 466 species of birds, making avian life one of the central aspects of the reserve’s biodiversity. Among the bird species found here are loons, flamingos, waders, cranes, and bustards. Each winter, tens of thousands of waterfowl, including coots, ducks, pink flamingos, and swans, gather in the reserve. Additionally, birds of prey such as white-tailed eagles and long-tailed eagles can be observed soaring above the water.
The Caspian Sea serves as a critical migratory route, with 12 million birds crossing it annually. More than 5 million of these birds spend the winter on the shores and islands of the reserve.
The Khazar Reserve is not only a sanctuary for birds but also a habitat for a variety of mammals. Visitors may encounter animals such as porcupines, wild boars, badgers, manuls, foxes, wolves, marbled polecats, reed and sand cats, hares, gophers, hyenas, jackals, otters, and caracals. The Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea boasts 55 species of sea fish, including five that are listed in the Red Book. The reserve’s waters are home to valuable species like beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, whitefish, herring, mullet, and sea pike perch. The Caspian Sea’s unique isolation from the world’s oceans has allowed the evolution of species found nowhere else, such as the Caspian seal.
Ogurjaly Island, part of the reserve, is also home to graceful gazelles, adding to the area’s ecological diversity.
For those interested in a deeper understanding of the reserve’s natural treasures, the Museum of Nature of the Khazar Reserve in the city of Turkmenbashi offers a detailed introduction. The museum, the only specialized marine fauna museum in Turkmenistan, features 28 large-format compositions depicting the reserve’s animal life with remarkable authenticity. A special exhibit in the museum highlights the underwater world of the Caspian, while panoramic displays recreate the natural habitats of desert animals.
The Khazar Reserve stands as a testament to Turkmenistan’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage, offering tourists an unparalleled glimpse into the region’s vibrant ecosystems.
