Rare species found in Nakhchivan

By Amina Nazarli - AzerNews

Zoologists have found rare breeds of roe and sable at the Shahbuz State Nature Reserve in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Thanks to the photos [ taken by a high speed camera trigger system installed in the reserve], experts were able to take pictures of these rare animals for the first time.

Tariyel Talibov, the department Head of the Nakhchivan Bioresources Institute of the National Academy of Sciences, told AzerTac State News Agency that European roes are bigger than those living in Azerbaijan.

The breed, spread across Caucasus, is the smallest variety of roe, known as the capreola.

In the past, it was distributed over a wide area, however it now already faces the threat of extinction, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

The capreola was spread throughout the country in the 1950s and 60s.

They disappeared in the Kura-Araz territory, while in the rest of Azerbaijan they have become a rare species.

Discussing the sable found in the Shahbuz reserve, the academician said that this species is also endangered.

They are widely distributed in America, North Africa, Europe, and Asia, except in the Arabian Peninsula and Far North.

Most often the sable is found in the country’s Lankaran region and Ganikh (Alazan) river. They can also be found in the foothills of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, as well as across the Kura and Araz rivers.

Nakhchivan is located in the southeastern part of Azerbaijan.

Its fauna includes bears, wild boars, foxes, hares, wolves, stone martens, bezoars and Asian mouflons. There are also several species of birds living in the region, such as the Caspian snowcock, alpine accentor, crag martin, and rock partridge

According to research conducted in Nakhchivan Republic, zoologists have determined that some 386 kinds of vertebrates live in the region.

A total of 71 of them were included in “Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic’s Red Book” [book of rare Azerbaijani animals and insects].

Nakhchivan’s rich flora and fauna attract many foreign biologists and zoologist. Breeds such as mouflon, bezoar goat, porcupines, wild cats, as well as plant species including iris, tulips, aristolochia and others are being studied by foreign experts.