Ecology

In 2020, JSC UTLC ERA implemented a project to restore the tugay deer population in Kazakhstan. The joint initiative by JSC UTLC ERA and WWF Russia is an important step towards the increase of the tugay deer population in the Syr Darya River Valley, Kazakhstan. Through this project, we are contributing to the development of the regional ecosystem and to the increase of the Red Book species population in Central Asia. The initiative brought about a 20% increase of the deer population in one of the wild groups.

In 2022, we are implementing the initiative to increase the population of wild European bison in the Turmon Natural Reserve located in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. European bison is the only surviving buffalo species in Europe. Under the project, the reserve population will increase by eight animals, thus increasing the number of bison in the region by 42%.

To preserve the ecosystem of the Southern Balkhash Region in Kazakhstan after the wildfires, the tugay woodland restoration project is currently in progress. Tugay woodlands act as a natural water regulator and also as a vital habitat for Bukhara deer and other hoofed animals. The initiative provides for planting nearly 14,500 seedlings and taking fire safety measures.

The Sporovsky Nature Reserve and JSC UTLC ERA have come up with a joint project and, aiming to restore floodplain meadows, relocated 22 specimens of aurochs-like cattle and 15 specimens of tarpan-like horses. This was the first experience of reintroduction of tarpan-like horses in Belarus. These efforts mark the beginning of the restoration of the species in its historical habitats.
Free grazing animals at the mineral islands of the reserve will allow to significantly improve and preserve unique, rare, and endangered biotopes of the region and restore 1.5 hectares of floodplain meadows.