Biology students at the Korgalzhyn Reserve – 2026

From June 8 to June 14, 2026, second-year students of the educational program "6B05107 – Biology" from the Department of General Biology and Genomics completed their summer educational field practice in zoology on the territory of the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve.

In the town of Korgalzhyn, the students visited the reserve's visitor center and nature museum, where they learned about its history and fauna. The Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, and its Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake systems are among the most important wetlands for migratory birds in Kazakhstan and the whole of Asia. Located just 130 km southwest of Astana, the reserve is famous for its lake-and-steppe landscapes and diverse fauna. All of this makes it an excellent location for conducting field practice in zoology.

A cooperation agreement has been in place between the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve for many years. Once again, the reserve's management kindly agreed to host the second-year biology students on their territory and provided all the necessary conditions for the practice. The students stayed in cozy cabins at the Karazhar cordon, located on the picturesque shore of Lake Sultankeldy.

Every day, the students woke up at dawn and went on excursions around the reserve, where they encountered numerous animal species.

The avian fauna was particularly rich. The students were able to observe various birds live, noting their coloration and behavior. On the lakes, in the steppe, and in the air, they encountered greater flamingos, swans, geese, pelicans, various species of ducks and waders, the great egret, cormorants, and many other bird species.

This year, the students were incredibly lucky to see wild mammals. No one expected a real wild boar to approach the cabins! At first, everyone was afraid to get close, but it turned out to be a very unusual animal. This young boar, nicknamed Stepa by local fishermen and inspectors, had strayed from his herd when he was still a piglet and could have died of starvation if it weren't for the fishermen who fed him fish. Stepa stopped fearing humans and now comes to people almost every day to be fed.

 The ultimate stroke of luck was encountering the famous saiga (Saiga tatarica) — the northernmost antelope!

In the afternoons, students collected various invertebrates, particularly insects, and enthusiastically identified their species.

Educational field practice is not just about excursions and classes; it is also a wonderful opportunity for students to bond and have fun while cooking together and playing various games!

After a busy day, a breathtaking sunset on the lake awaited the students!

We express our gratitude to the management and staff of the reserve for providing the opportunity to conduct this practice. As a result of the summer educational field practice, students consolidated their knowledge of zoology, familiarized themselves with the unique nature and fauna of the Korgalzhyn Reserve, collected invertebrate specimens, and gained invaluable experience along with many vivid impressions.

Photo credit: D.A. Tagayev