The Old Cordon © Hazar Project

The history of Hazar State Reserve formation begins from 1932, when Gasan-Kuli ornithological reserve was founded. In 1968 it was transformed into Krasnovodsk State Reserve which included the whole system of sea shallow bays under a common name "Krasnovodsk and North-Cheleken Bays". In 1994 it was renamed in Hazar State Reserve and included from then on the sanctuary – a big sea island Ogurchinskiy.

Flamingo in Mihaylovsky Bay © V. Komarov

Those who just once have been at Hazar Reserve call it the real birds' Eldorado.

Numerous flocks of bald-coots and ducks are distributed on the sea surface as original "live" dark islands; huge white "spots" at the coast are the flocks of swans, and pink, fluently moving "strips" are fantastically beautiful flamingo! On dark spurs of the coastal rocks and on high dunes the gloomy figures of large ernes can be seen. Noise of the bird's voices and flap of wings constantly disturb the calmness in these open spaces.

The Golden Eagle © A. Scherbina

Our southern reserve is famous not only for birds. Tens of fish species inhabit its water, and the imperceptible life of billions of crustaceous, worms, mollusks and insects is in full wing in undersea woods, being the richest fodder base for birds, fish and other inhabitants of the reserve.

Just recently the wonderful natural region and on of the largest in its territory (269 thousand hectares) among reserves of Turkmenistan had its 75^th anniversary. It is located in the continental South-Turan subtropical zone. The climate here is continental, but substantially is softened due to the proximity of the immense water surface of the Caspian Sea. Winter is soft, precipitation is insignificant, but the level of radiation is high enough.

Turkmenbashi Bay © Hazar Project

The reserve is located on the Southeast coast of the Caspian Sea and consists of 3 significantly remote areas. The most northern and largest in area (192 thousand hectares) is Turkmenbashi district. It represents a system of spacious sea gulfs communicating with each other: Turkmenbashi, Balkhan, Northern Cheleken, Mihaylovsky, with bays, kultuks, islands and sandy shell rock spits. Large and small populated areas such as cities of Turkmenbashi and Hazar, settlements Turkmenbashi, Kenar (former Ufra), Gyzylsuv directly adjoin this territory with a protected zone surrounding it along perimeter (1 kilometer wide).

Partridge on Treatment at the Reserve Aviary During the Extremely Cold Winter of 2007 © Hazar Project

The Esenguly district of Hazar State Reserve near the border with Iran in the subtropical zone (approximately 250 km to the south of Turkmenbashi district). Just from this place the Reserve started its development in 1932. Its territory extended twice: in 1968 and in 1994. The district is represented by Etrek delta natural area with typical subtropical climate. During high-water years the lower course of the Etrek River abounds in water forming large and shallow lakes and swamps. It is a perfect place (70 thousand hectares) for millions of migratory (more than 5 mln) and wintering birds. Quite recently huge amounts of geese, little bustards and even Bustards inhabited these areas. Apers, jungle cats, otters and even badgers lived on the Maloye and Bolshoye Delili Lakes. And there were porcupines and francolins on their banks. Shoals of Caspian roach and carp rushed to the mouth of the Etrek for spawning during freshet.

Afghan ducks and coots © Hazar Project

Between these two districts of the Reserve one of the largest islands in the Caspian Sea - Ogurchinsky is located on the Cheleken sea shelf. Here, on the area of 7 thousand hectares, Ogurchinsky Game Reserve was opened in 1982, where in half-free conditions the rare species of antelope - Persian gazelle, was bred. In 1994 the Game Reserve was transferred to under the jurisdiction of Hazar Reserve. Currently, about 700 Persian gazelles live in this natural reserve. The part of this population (more than 150 animals) was moved to suitable places of former natural habitats of these animals (on the continent).

Sandy spits of the southern part of the island have been settled on by the Caspian seal (endemic) - a unique sea pinniped mammal. The Game Reserve is the place for mass nesting of herring gull, sandwich tern and rare species of Great Black-headed Gull (Zarus ichthyaetus).

The Bird Census. November 2008 © V. Komarov

All these natural riches study and the employers of reserve protect. All these natural resources are studied and protected by specialists working at the Reserve. Scientists of the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan as well as experts of other research institutions help them in their work. All observations of flora and fauna with their analysis and data received are included in 28 books with the basic scientific subject of reserves "Chronicle of Nature". The staff of the Reserve has published more than 200 scientific articles, including overseas publications, during the course of the Reserve functioning. They participated in the development of the Caspian Environmental Program, developed the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan (1st and 2nd editions) and took part in numerous nature protection actions of our country and of foreign ecological funds.

The small staff of Hazar State Reserve invites everybody to visit this beautiful corner of Nature and to get acquainted with its marvelous world keeping this wonderful pearl of Turkmenistan for all of us.