Hunting the red marmot is permitted during specific periods established by legislation: in 2021, from July 3 to September 5. To participate in the hunt, one must be a member of a hunting society and obtain a license for hunting marmots. This species is protected by law, and illegal capture incurs a fine of 3000 soms for each caught individual.
Sport hunting for marmots attracts attention not only for its conditions but also for the atmosphere in which it takes place.
Hunter Ruslan Gaifulin shared some nuances of hunting:
“Before hunting, it is important to scout the area to understand the conditions in which you will be working. In mountainous regions, you need to find out from which burrows and at what times the animals come out. While getting to the spot, observe nature. At the hunting site, it is better to take a position not far from the burrow.
I used to use smoothbore weapons, but this limited the shooting distance. Later, I switched to rifled weapons with optical sights, which allowed me to shoot at long distances after carefully examining the target. You should not rush to shoot, especially if the animal is near the burrow. If you miss, it may retreat back into the burrow. It is better to hunt on clear days when marmots are actively feeding. In bad weather, they do not come to the surface. It is also worth noting that before hibernation, marmots appear on the surface every two days.”
Ecologist Alexander Sosnovsky spoke about the biology of marmots:
“Marmots live in groups in deep burrows and feed on vegetation. In autumn, they gain significant weight and hibernate all winter. Marmot meat is considered tasty, and the fat has many healing properties. When rendered, it does not solidify in the cold and contains a unique set of fatty acids, vitamins, hormones, and bactericidal substances. In autumn, the fat is white, while in spring, it turns creamy-yellow. The fat remaining after hibernation differs from the autumn fat in composition and calorie content: it contains 30-40% water, while summer fat contains only 10-12%. This fat is rich in vitamins D and E and carotene and can be used as an adjunct in the treatment of lung, stomach, liver diseases, and for strengthening immunity.”
Important! (It is not recommended to engage in marmot trapping, as it can be dangerous to life)
Marmots can be carriers of natural foci of plague, as the fleas and ticks that inhabit them are carriers of this dangerous disease.
The plague can affect a healthy person in just a few days. After the infection enters the body, symptoms may appear within a few hours or up to two days. The disease begins acutely: chills, a sharp rise in temperature to 38-40°C, headache, dizziness, and consciousness disturbances are observed. Some patients may exhibit lethargy and stupor. Without timely treatment, the disease can lead to death.
Gallery: The popularity of sport hunting for marmots in Kyrgyzstan
In August 2013, a 15-year-old teenager died from bubonic plague at Issyk-Kul.
The Issyk-Kul regional emergency commission, led by the first deputy plenipotentiary Akylbek Janibekov, provided information about the bubonic plague disease in a local resident and the current situation in the region.
15-year-old Temir Isakunov, temporarily residing in the Kashka-Suu area of the Enilchek rural district, fell ill on August 17 with initial symptoms such as a sore throat, headache, and slight fever (temperature measurement was not conducted). The sick individual took anti-flu medication, and his condition was assessed as satisfactory. On August 18, around 14:00, he was sent home to the village of Ichke-Jergez.
For several days until August 22, Temir remained at home without seeking medical help, continuing to take anti-flu medication and paracetamol. According to his sister Gulbarchyn, he had a high temperature until August 21, with increasing headaches and pain in the armpit and submandibular areas.
On August 22, he was hospitalized, brought in by his brother Tynchy Mambetov. At 08:30, the attending physician Kanat Eshimkanov and surgeon K. Kadyrov examined the patient, diagnosing “hydroadenitis in the left armpit.” Temir was transferred to the surgical department, but his condition continued to deteriorate. He was consulted by specialist doctors and at 14:20 transferred to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of “hydroadenitis in the left armpit.”
In the intensive care unit, the patient's condition did not improve, and abdominal pain was added to the initial symptoms. Due to the worsening condition, a council of doctors was convened, which diagnosed “sepsis, septicemia.”
Despite treatment, at 18:00, Temir's condition worsened again. After a repeat council, the diagnosis of “suspected plague” was established. At 20:15, biological death occurred.
At 20:45, the relevant services were notified. At 21:30, a working group was formed to organize quarantine. A provisional hospital was established in the infectious disease department of the hospital, and contacts were isolated. Medical workers were also involved to monitor the health status of the contacts.
During the investigation, blood samples and swabs were taken from the contacts. An autopsy was conducted in the presence of a forensic expert and other specialists. All analyses were sent for examination.
Let us remind you that in the 14th century, the bubonic plague claimed the lives of half the population of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The cause was climate change, which led to the spread of the disease from foci in the Gobi Desert. Over two decades, while the plague raged, about 60 million people died.
Modern plague, like in the past, spreads through fleas that inhabit rodents. When a person is infected, the infection can be transmitted by airborne droplets. Symptoms include inflammation of the lymph nodes, fever, rash, and darkening of the skin. Natural foci of this disease exist on all continents except Australia.
