A camera trap has captured footage of three Indian crested porcupines in Ile-Alatau National Park in southeastern Kazakhstan.
According to the park’s press service, the rare animals were recorded during daylight hours. The Indian crested porcupine is considered a rare species and is listed in Category IV of Kazakhstan’s Red Book, the country’s official list of endangered species.
Porcupines primarily live in the western part of the park, which covers approximately 200,000 hectares and is located in the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains, south of Almaty.
The animal inhabits deciduous forests at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,700 meters. It is mainly nocturnal and typically shelters in burrows and rock crevices. The crested porcupine’s diet consists primarily of plants, roots, fruits, and seeds. While this animal does not hibernate during winter, its activity levels decrease significantly.
Currently, 32 individuals of this species have been recorded in the park. Officials emphasized that preserving rare animals and protecting their genetic diversity is a shared responsibility.
Earlier this year, several residents of Almaty reported sightings of snow leopards and even managed to photograph them.
