Not all recent bear-related news — whether from Kazakhstan or abroad — has been alarming.
Some stories are simply heartwarming. One such example comes from southern Kazakhstan, where Adilet Rakhmetolla shared a video filmed in Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve showing a young bear in its natural habitat.
The footage, captured by drone, shows the bear munching on rhubarb stalks, playing in the grass and, at one point, appearing to notice the camera filming overhead. Rakhmetolla could be heard expressing excitement as the scene unfolded.
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Founded in 1926, Aksu-Zhabagly is the oldest and one of the best-known nature reserves in Central Asia. Located in the Western Tien Shan mountains, the reserve is home to 52 mammal species, representing about 80% of the region’s theriofauna.
The reserve’s wildlife includes bears, badgers, martens, weasels and ermines, among other predators.
Ten rare and endangered mammal species found in the reserve are listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book. Among the animals receiving special protection is the snow leopard.
Read also: A slice of the Wild West in Central Asia: Meet the bison living just outside Astana.
