ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო

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.

The Caucasian red deer

შეტანილია წითელ ნუსხაში

The goitered gazelle

შეტანილია წითელ ნუსხაში

The chamois

შეტანილია წითელ ნუსხაში

East Caucasian tur

შეტანილია წითელ ნუსხაში