ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო

Caspian snowcock

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

Caspian Snowcock (Tetraogallus campus)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: VU (Vulnerable)

This species is widely distributed in the mountains of the Middle East and Central Asia. In Georgia, it is found in the southwestern part of the country, in the Lesser Caucasus. The species has been recorded in the Meskheti, Shavsheti, and Erusheti ranges.

The Caspian snowcock inhabits alpine and subalpine zones at altitudes of 1800-3000 meters above sea level. They prefer deep valleys and rocky areas, occasionally visiting rhododendron thickets.   

It is the largest pheasant species in Georgia. Males weigh about 2.5 kg and females 1.8-2.3 kg. There is no pronounced dimorphism, and both sexes have a similar gray coloration.

Mating begins in April, and females lay eggs in late April or May. Nests are built on alpine or subalpine cliffs, and incubation lasts 28-29 days. The average clutch size is 5-9 eggs.

Like other pheasants, the Caspian snowcock is negatively affected by poaching and habitat fragmentation due to infrastructure projects in mountain resorts. Given that the Caspian snowcock inhabits high-mountain regions, climate change and extreme weather conditions have a significant impact on the species.

Grey Partridge

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

Grey Partridge (Francolinus francolinus)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: NT (Near Threatened)

A medium-sized bird of the pheasant family, weighing 220-570 grams. Sexual dimorphism is present. Mating begins in April and nesting starts in mid-May. Nests are built on the ground, containing an average of 7-12 eggs. Chicks hatch after 18-20 days and reach sexual maturity at one year of age.

The species has a limited distribution, found in the eastern Mediterranean, Western Asia, and the eastern part of the Transcaucasus. In Georgia, the Iveri lowlands represent the only habitat for the grey partridge. This species is also polyphyletic, with only one subspecies, Francolinus francolinus francolinus, found in Georgia (slam, K. 2020).

Grey partridges inhabit riverine floodplains, dry subtropical areas with little snow, and sparse grassy scrublands with patches of reeds and sedges.

Like other pheasants, the grey partridge faces numerous threats, including poaching, habitat fragmentation, and predation.

Colchian Pheasant

შეტანილია წითელ ნუსხაში

Colchian Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: LC (Least Concern)

The Colchian pheasant is a large pheasant species.

This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males are larger (65-89 cm), with more colorful plumage and a longer tail (over 35 cm). Females are smaller (53-70 cm), with shorter tails (20-40 cm) and a more subdued coloration. Both sexes are fast runners and can fly short distances. During breeding season, males are territorial and form harems with several females. Nests are built on the ground, usually containing 8-15 eggs. Incubation lasts 23-28 days. Chicks remain with their mother for 70-80 days after hatching. They reach sexual maturity at one year of age. The species is polygamous, with one male mating with 2-3 females. Nesting occurs in May, with a clutch size of 8-12 eggs, sometimes up to 18. Only the female incubates the eggs.

The natural range of the Colchian pheasant includes areas with little or no snow and a mild climate in the southern part of the Palearctic. This includes lowlands in the Caucasus, the Black Sea coast of the Middle East from Anatolia to Iran, Central Asia, and Afghanistan; and then Central and Southeast Asia: Mongolia, China, Burma, Korea, and Japan. It has also been widely introduced to Europe and the Americas. In Georgia, it is found in the Colchis lowlands, the lower reaches of the Kura, Iori, and Alazani rivers, and the southern part of the Iveri Plateau.

The Colchian pheasant is a polyphyletic species. Of the 30 described subspecies, only one, Phasianus colchicus colchicus, is found in Georgia (Giudice, J. H., J. T. Ratti, and S. G. Mlodinow 2022). The Colchian pheasant is one of 31 subspecies of the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and historically inhabited the territory of Georgia and the Kura and Iori river valleys in Azerbaijan (Kayvanfar, 2017). Today, the Colchian pheasant population has significantly declined. The remaining populations are found in small numbers in the Vashlovani and Chachuna protected areas, as well as in the Colchis lowlands.

The habitat of the Colchian pheasant consists of lowlands covered with dense vegetation, wide river valleys with floodplain forests, dry meadows with shrubby cover, and open, dry mountain foothills. It is found up to an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level.
The Colchian pheasant faces several threats that hinder population stability and negatively impact the species. These threats include:

Poaching: low law enforcement, the need for proper hunting management, and the need to raise awareness among hunters.

Degradation and fragmentation of Colchian pheasant habitats: improper grazing management, wildfires in agricultural lands, and climate change.

Other threats: predation, diseases, and isolation of individual populations.

Reintroduction of the Colchian pheasant requires captive breeding and subsequent release into its historical habitat. Breeding pheasants in captivity is not difficult, and therefore, in addition to in-situ conservation (combating poaching, raising public awareness, etc.), ex-situ conservation of the species is necessary.

Grey Partridge

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)

National Status: LC (Least Concern)

The grey partridge is a medium-sized bird with slight sexual dimorphism. They are monogamous. Adults typically measure 30-33 cm in length and weigh between 300 and 600 grams. Males can be distinguished from females by a larger chest patch. Mating begins in early March, and nesting occurs in May-June. Nests are built on the ground, and the average clutch size is 20 eggs. Incubation lasts 21-26 days, carried out by the female. Chicks can fly from around 14 days of age and reach sexual maturity at one year. Grey partridges are widely distributed in the western Palearctic, from the Atlantic coast to Mongolia.

In Georgia, they are found in the Lesser Caucasus, the Javakheti and Samsari ranges, the Tsalka and Dmanisi plateaus, the Greater Caucasus, the Kvernaki Range, and the Kartli Plateau. This species is polyphyletic, with 7 described subspecies. The taxonomy is still being revised, and subspecies distribution in Georgia has not been thoroughly studied. According to the literature, Perdix perdix lucida is found in the Greater Caucasus, while Perdix perdix canescens is found in other regions (Carroll, J. P., P. J. K. McGowan, and G. M. Kirwan 2020).

Grey partridges inhabit fields, meadows, steppes, and cultivated lands, as well as the slopes of low mountains and hills with sparse shrubs, tall grasses, and dry, low-snow valleys. Their decline would lead to a decrease in biodiversity. The species faces threats from unsustainable hunting practices, grazing, predation, and other natural and anthropogenic factors, making it a vulnerable species.

Chukar Partridge

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) 

International Status: LC (Least Concern) 
National Status: LC (Least Concern)


The Chukar partridge belongs to the pheasant family (Phasianidae) and is found in the Caucasus, Middle East, Central Asia, India, and China. In the Caucasus and Iran, the subspecies Alectoris chukar kurdetanica is prevalent.

This medium-sized bird has a body length of 34-38 cm and weighs 500-700 grams. Females are slightly smaller and have less contrasting head coloration compared to males. Mating occurs in February-March, and eggs are laid in April (Iveri Plateau). Nesting occurs on the ground, and the clutch size is typically 7-12 eggs. Incubation lasts 22-25 days, primarily by the female. Both parents care for the chicks, which can fly after 7-14 days. Sexual maturity is reached at one year of age (Christensen, G. C. 2020).

The species has a wide distribution across the Palearctic region, including Southern Europe (Pyrenees, Alps, Balkan Peninsula, Mediterranean islands), the Caucasus, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Himalayas, Tibet, and Manchuria. In Georgia, it is found in both the Greater and Lesser Caucasus as a resident bird (Kutubidze 1985; Biodiversity-Georgia 2021). In Georgia, it is prevalent on the Iveri Plateau, the upper reaches of the Kura River valley, and in smaller populations on the Kvernaki Range. The species is polyphyletic, with 14 recognized subspecies, of which only Alectoris chukar kurdestanica is found in Georgia (Christensen, G. C. 2020).

Several threats impact the Chukar partridge, including poaching, habitat degradation, and fragmentation.

Eurasian beaver

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: RE (Regionally Extinct)

The beaver family is currently represented by only two species on Earth: the Eurasian beaver and the North American beaver. By the 16th century, the Eurasian beaver had become nearly extinct in much of Europe and Asia, with an estimated population of only 300-400 individuals. Overhunting for their meat and fur, coupled with the extensive drainage of wetlands for agriculture, led to this decline. However, thanks to conservation efforts and hunting regulations, beaver populations began to recover in the 1900s.   

Beavers are the second-largest rodents after capybaras, weighing around 20 kg and measuring 80-100 cm in body length. They are social animals, living in family groups consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring. Breeding occurs from late December to February, with females giving birth to 1-4 kits in the spring.   

In Georgia, beavers were once found in the Colchis Lowlands, along the banks of rivers such as the Rioni, Natanebi, Supsa, Kvirila, and Aragvi. Habitat analysis has shown that suitable habitats for beavers still exist in Georgia. Beavers prefer still or slow-moving bodies of water and, if necessary, build dams to reduce water flow. They are herbivores, feeding primarily on the leaves, bark, twigs, and aquatic plants of broad-leaved trees.   

The reintroduction of beavers to Georgia's wild could have numerous positive environmental impacts. The ponds they create can help to raise local groundwater levels, improve water quality, and promote more even water distribution. These artificial wetlands often lead to increased biodiversity.

The European mink

შეტანილია წითელ ნუსხაში

European Mink (Mustela lutreola)

International Status: CR (Critically Endangered)
National Status: CR (Critically Endangered)

The European mink is a small carnivorous mammal belonging to the Mustelid family. It is distributed across Europe, the western Caucasus, and the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains, with a small population found in the Bzyb Valley of Abkhazia.

European minks inhabit areas near rivers or bodies of freshwater covered with forests, bushes, or tall grass. They construct burrows with one entrance underwater and another above ground. Adults typically measure 28-43 cm in body length and have a 12-19 cm tail. As semi-aquatic animals, they have webbed feet for efficient swimming and diving. Primarily nocturnal, European minks reach sexual maturity at one year of age and produce an average litter size of 2-7.

Their diet consists of fish, small mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and plant matter.

Historically, the European mink was widely distributed across Europe. However, today, the species is confined to only 20% of its historical range. The isolation of remaining populations poses an additional threat to the species. Several factors have contributed to the decline of European mink populations, including overhunting for their fur, freshwater pollution, and the construction of hydroelectric dams.

Conservation efforts for the European mink are underway in some European countries.

The leopard

შეტანილია წითელ ნუსხაში

International Status: VU (Vulnerable)
National Status: CR (Critically Endangered)

The leopard is one of the most widely distributed large cats in the world. A highly adaptable species, it has persisted in areas where other large predators have long since vanished, despite significant human impact. Historically, the leopard's range encompassed Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. Its broad distribution is attributed to its ability to adapt to diverse environments, from deserts and semi-deserts to the Himalayan mountain range, where it has been recorded at altitudes of up to 5,200 meters. Leopards have a varied diet, primarily consisting of medium-sized ungulates, but they can also prey on insects, small mammals, and birds.

By the early 20th century, leopards were found throughout most of Georgia. However, due to intensive hunting and urbanization, their range contracted significantly, leading to habitat fragmentation and population decline. By the mid-20th century, leopard sightings became increasingly rare. By the end of the 20th century, the species was considered virtually extinct in Georgia, with small populations possibly persisting in Pshav- Khevsureti, Tusheti, and the Artsivi Mountain range in the Lesser Caucasus.

In the 21st century, leopards were captured on camera traps in Georgia twice: in 2003 in Vashlovani and in 2021 in Tusheti.

Potential leopard habitats in Georgia include the dry ecosystems of southeastern Georgia and the Greater Caucasus. A detailed analysis of potential habitats is necessary to develop effective conservation strategies. Restoring ungulate populations, which serve as prey for leopards, is essential for the species' reintroduction to Georgia. However, reintroducing and conserving leopards is more challenging than ungulates due to various factors. For instance, leopards raised in captivity often develop strong human bonds, and their release into the wild can lead to human-wildlife conflicts.

European bison (Bison bonasus)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

European Bison (Bison bonasus)

International Status: VU (Vulnerable) National Status: RE (Regionally Extinct) The European bison is a large even-toed ungulate belonging to the cattle family. Bulls can reach a length of up to 3.5 meters and a height of 1.6 meters. They weigh between 700-900 kg, although individuals as heavy as 1200 kg have been recorded. They are characterized by long hair on their neck, forehead, and throat. Cows are smaller, averaging 400-600 kg, and reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age, giving birth to one calf annually. Bison primarily feed on grass and leaves but actively consume twigs and bark during winter.

They are social animals, living in herds. The species was once found in both the Greater and Lesser Caucasus. The last individuals in the Gumista Valley were recorded in 1925, and Bashkirov suggested that small populations persisted in the Bzyb, Psou, and Enguri river valleys until 1940. However, the species is now considered extinct in Georgia. Reintroducing the bison and restoring its historical range is a priority for the country. Studies of potential bison habitats have revealed that some overlap with protected areas, but a significant portion lies outside protected areas.

Habitat fragmentation, often caused by roads and settlements, is a significant challenge. Reintroducing the species to its historical range would contribute to the restoration of ecosystem functions and biodiversity in the country. Studies have identified the mountainous regions of Guria, the upper reaches of the Supsa River, Guria National Park, and mountainous Adjara as the most suitable habitats for bison reintroduction in Georgia. Encouragingly, several countries have successfully reintroduced bison populations, including Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, and Romania. Additionally, the local population generally holds a positive attitude towards the species.