Flora and fauna of Charyn Park -
Endangered and rare animals of Kazakhstan -
Once upon a time, a rare predator roamed the expanses of Charyn National Park and the adjacent mountainous areas - the "Red Wolf", or dhol (Cuon alpinus). Not as large as the gray wolf, but agile, dexterous and incredibly smart. Its fur was reddish-red, its tail was fluffy, and its eyes were attentive and cunning. It did not howl like an ordinary wolf, but made short whistles and barks, which made it even more mysterious. In Kazakhstan, this species was first noticed at the beginning of the 20th century, and in the 1930-40s, its traces were found in the Tien Shan and Zhetysu Alatau. Since the second half of the 20th century, the red wolf has not been found in our mountains - according to reliable data, it no longer exists. There have been no reliable observations in the wild for over half a century. In the Red Book of Kazakhstan, it is listed as an endangered species. The reasons for its disappearance are the same as with other rare predators: loss of habitat, pressure from humans, and a poor food supply.
Red Wolf lived in packs, hunted skillfully, in a coordinated, almost military manner. Surprisingly, local legends say that they used the very relief of the Charyn Canyon to drive prey into traps between the rocks. The animals rushed to the cliff in panic, and the wolves calmly waited below. They knew the canyon like their own paws. However, the memory of it is alive here. Local old-timers tell how at dusk, when the wind walks along the slopes of the canyon, you can hear a strange whistle - as if someone is calling to each other. Someone says: it's just the wind. And someone - that it is the soul of a wild pack that once ruled these places. The red wolf has become part of the spirit of the canyon - elusive, wild and proud. Today in Charyn Park you can meet other predators: gray wolf, fox, golden eagle, eagle owl, as well as rare snow leopard and manul. But none of them left such a mark in legends and memory as the red wolf. It has become a symbol of what we have lost, but what we remember. And if one day you find yourself in Charyn at sunset, listen to the silence - maybe it's not just the wind.
How the Red Wolf hunts -
The red wolf is the most elusive spirit of these canyons, a creature from nightmares and legends. It appears suddenly - flashing like red lightning between the rocks, dissolving in the air, like a mirage. Here it is, frozen on the edge of the cliff, its fur blazing in the sunset, its burning eyes watching you through the stunted saxaul bushes. A moment later - it is gone. Only the slight rustle of sand and goosebumps on your back remind you that you are not alone here.
These predators hunt silently, without howling. Their pack is the perfect killing mechanism:
12 pairs of eyes that see in the dark
12 pairs of legs that know no fatigue
12 throats that merge into one eerie laugh
They stalk their prey for days, squeezing the life out of it drop by drop. Saigas go crazy from their smell. Even snow leopards give way to these red demons.
The local’s whisper:
"Saw a red wolf - expect trouble or great luck"
"Caught his gaze - became part of the hunt"
"Heard their laughter - it means they have already chosen you"
In the twilight of the Charyn Canyon, they come to life. Somewhere in the depths of the Temirlik Canyon, claws click on stones. The wind carries the smell of blood and wild musk. The shadows are growing longer than they should be...
Are you ready to follow their tracks? I know the places where they appeared yesterday. But remember - in Charyn, the hunter easily becomes the hunted.
Attractions nearby:
Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon
Charyn River
Kurtogay tract
Sarytogay tract
Temerlik River
Charyn Moon Canyon
Bestamak Canyon
Bugutty Mountains
Charyn ash grove
Charyn ash cottage
Photogallery:
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