PhD-student Bizhanova Nazerke's project on the rare Turkestan lynx won funding from Rufford Small Grants!

PhD-student of the Department of Biodiversity and bioresources Nazerke Alimkyzy Bizhanova received a research grant from Rufford Small Grants. Within the framework of her PhD work, this project will focus on studying population status, identification of threats for conservation of the rare Eurasian lynx subspecies – Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellina Blyth, 1847). Bizhanova Nazerke took the initiative to study this rare cat, and had begun this project as a team leader.

Project theme: «Population and conservation status of the Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellina Blyth, 1847) in the Kazakh part of the Northern Tien Shan».

Traditional zoological methods and remote sensing methods, in particular, camera traps, will be used. Research will be conducted in three protected areas: the Ile Alatau State National Natural Park, Almaty State Nature Reserve and Kolsai Kolderi State National Natural Park.

Considering the major threats such as habitat degradation and fragmentation, poaching, loss of prey base, conflict with livestock farmers (retaliatory killing due to livestock depredation), it is relevant to conduct research, the research team within the framework of the project carries out studies results of which will be used to create conservation strategies; improve networks of protected areas and increase efficiency of their management; for educational purposes and to raise awareness of the local population living in the habitats of this large carnivore.

The research team consists of 7 researchers:

1. Bizhanova Nazerke – Project leader, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of theriology of the Institute of Zoology, Tutor and PhD-student at al-Farabi Kazakh National University;

2. Grachev Aleksey – Head at the Laboratory of theriology of the Institute of Zoology, founder of the Public Fund «Wildlife Without Borders»;

3. Kantarbayev Sanjar – Researcher at the Laboratory of theriology of the Institute of Zoology, PhD-student at al-Farabi Kazakh National University;

4. Baidavletov Erlik – Researcher at the Laboratory of theriology of the Institute of Zoology;

5. Grachev Yuri – Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of theriology of the Institute of Zoology, Candidate of Biological sciences;

6. Saparbayev Saltore – Researcher at the Laboratory of theriology of the Institute of Zoology and Almaty State Nature Reserve;

7. Bespalov Maxim – Research assistant and field manager.

All of the above participants are experienced and knowledgeable mammologists.

 The Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources congratulates Nazerka Bizhanova on her achievement and wishes her great success!

Chair of biodiversity and bioresources

www.kaznu.kz