Biology students at the Korgalzhyn Reserve – 2025

Students of the second year of the educational program 6В05107 – Biology, Department of General Biology and Genomics, in the period of May 26 to June 5, 2025, passed a summer field practice on zoology in the territory of the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve.

Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan, and the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn Lake systems located there are one of the most important wetlands for migratory birds in Kazakhstan and throughout Asia. The reserve is located only 130 km south-west of Astana and is famous for its wetland-steppe open spaces and diverse fauna. All this makes it an excellent place to conduct field practice on zoology.

Between the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian University and Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve there is several-year-agreement on cooperation. The management of the Reserve once again kindly agreed to admit the 2nd year biology students on its territory and provided all the necessary conditions for practice. Students settled in cozy houses on the cordon of Karazhar, located on the picturesque shore of Lake Sultankeldy.
Every day students got up at dawn and went on a tour of the reserve, where they met many animal species.

The bird fauna was especially rich. We managed to observe the birds live, their coloring and behavior. On lakes, in the steppe and in the air there were flamingos, swans, geese, pelicans, various species of ducks, waders, great white egret, cormorants and many other species of birds.

This year, the students were incredibly lucky to see several species of wild mammals. They managed to get some distance to two female boars with 9 piglets. For safety reasons, we did not go any closer, but even this was enough to experience a rare moment of meeting real wildlife!

We were lucky enough to capture details of the personal life of the Asian badger.

The ermine is a cute, agile little animal that was always diligently catching mice and voles on the territory of the Karazhar cordon and was sometimes so busy that it didn’t pay much attention to us.

The main success was to meet the famous saiga (Saiga tatarica) - the northernmost antelope! A small herd was grazing near the Karazhar cordon and looked in surprise at the crowd of biology students from the Eurasian National University, who suddenly found themselves in the middle of the endless steppe. As they approached the herd, the animals instantly moved away and disappeared like a mirage.

After lunch, the students collected various invertebrates, particularly insects, and after lunch they enthusiastically identified their species.

The staff of the science department of the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve told the students about the local flora and fauna.

Field practice is not only excursions and classes, but also a great opportunity for students to socialize and have fun while cooking food and various games together!

After a busy day, students were waiting for a stunning sunset on the lake!

We express our gratitude to the management and staff of the reserve for the opportunity to pass the field practice. As a result of the summer field practice, the students consolidated their knowledge of zoology, got familiar with the unique nature and fauna of the Korgalzhyn Reserve, collected invertebrate animal collections, and received invaluable experience and many vivid impressions.

Teachers: Daniyar Tagayev, Rosa Asilkhanova

Photo: Daniyar Tagayev