A bird with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters was filmed in the Talas mountains

Наталья Маркова Society
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On the territory of the Besh-Tash Nature Park in the Talas region, a rare black vulture, known to local residents as "taz zhoru," was recorded.

According to information provided by the park administration, the filming took place on November 5, 2025. "We were able to capture this bird from a close distance. It is commonly referred to as 'taz zhoru' because it resembles a bald eagle, known as 'taz kush.' There is also a belief that if you dream of this bird, it will bring good fortune. The black vulture is very rarely seen in our region and is considered one of the rarest species," added park representatives.



Ecologist Azamat Kozhomkulov previously noted that vultures are among the largest predatory birds inhabiting Kyrgyzstan. Their wingspan can reach up to 2.5 meters.

“Vultures play an important role in the ecosystem of Kyrgyzstan, serving as scavengers. Their primary diet consists of carrion, the remains of large animals. There are legends that these birds live particularly long lives. They mature slowly, and reproduction occurs intermittently, sometimes with gaps of several years. Therefore, each chick is of great significance. On average, vultures live up to 30 years. They help in the disposal of carcasses, preventing the spread of diseases. In our country, vultures are under state protection,” he added.

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The Besh-Tash Park is home to over 800 species of flowering plants, of which about 28 are woody shrubs. The main forest areas are represented by coniferous species:

- Tian Shan spruce — 1105 ha

- Tree juniper — 135 ha

- Fir — 15 ha

- Pine — 2 ha

Hardwood species occupy 26 ha, mainly represented by elms. Softwood species cover 22 ha, of which birch occupies 16 ha. Other tree species occupy 16 ha, while shrubs cover 3579 ha. The total timber stock in the park reaches 106.9 thousand m³. The Besh-Tash gorge has preserved unique spruce forests mixed with Semenov fir.

The fauna of this park is diverse. Species such as roe deer, ibex, hare, fox, wolf, marten, mink, and stoat can be found here. Among the birds, the rock partridge and grouse inhabit the area.

Particular value is represented by species listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan that inhabit the park: snow leopard, Turkestan lynx, golden eagle (snow vulture), saker falcon, and bearded vulture.

The main water artery of the park is the Besh-Tash River, which is 34 km long, with tributaries Shanek, Toboy, Kainy, and several small streams. The river is also known for its abundance of rainbow trout.

All rivers in the park have a Tian Shan type of water regime, characterized by prolonged spring-summer floods. The predominant type of river feeding is glacial-snow. The riverbeds are winding and rapid, with narrow steep-sided valleys and gorges, often blocked by boulders.

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