It was previously reported about a significant number of swans wintering in Issyk-Kul, and in recent years, there has also been a recovery in the population of pheasants, whose numbers had significantly decreased.
In winter, pheasants require not only protection but also care. These birds prefer forested and shrub areas, and their main food source consists of sea buckthorn berries. In conditions of severe frost, there is a shortage of food, which leads to the implementation of biotechnical measures. In particular, employees of environmental protection services provide supplementary feeding for pheasants in their natural habitat.
These activities are organized by the Ak-Suu District Department of the Regional Administration of the Issyk-Kul Region of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of the local hunters' society. Currently, they are jointly engaged in feeding wild birds.
Experts note that over the past 4–5 years, hunters who shot pheasants for entertainment have practically disappeared. This is due to the tightening of responsibility measures for damage inflicted on nature. Currently, the main threats to pheasants are wolves and jackals. In this regard, predator control measures are regularly conducted in the region.
Ecologists and hunters emphasize that despite the low temperatures, bird feeding will continue until spring. The results of these measures are already noticeable: during the autumn count in the Ak-Suu District, about 1,200 pheasants were recorded, which is a positive indicator compared to previous years.
