Chyornye Zemli Nature Reserve

Saigas in Tschornyje Semli Nature Reserve

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The nature reserve Tschornyje Semli (Russian Чёрные земли ) is a protected area in Kalmykia in southwestern Russia. It is dominated by steppe and semi-desert vegetation, covering an area of 1220 square kilometers. Tschornyje Semli is home to the endangered Saiga. In addition, wolves, Tigeriltisse and steppe foxes in the area occur.

The reserve was founded in 1993 and consists of two unconnected parts, a larger zone of about 910 square kilometers and a smaller area of about 309 square kilometers. The larger zone is in the middle of Kalmykia and protects the semi -desert drylands of the Caspian lowlands, while the smaller area in the extreme northwest of the Republic of Kalmykia is the Manytsch lowland, and is much wetter. Tschornyje Semli is especially important, because here important breeding site of the European population of Saiga Antelope lie. Wolves are common and sometimes they are said to threaten the Saigapopulationen. The area around the reserve is also one of the last occurrence areas of the marbled polecat. Other mammal species are steppe fox, the long-eared hedgehog, the hare, the Kleinziesel Springer and horses, hamsters and Raufuß jerboa. Numerous birds of prey like the steppe eagle, imperial eagle and buzzard occur. Eagle looking sometimes far away from the coasts on the steppe for food. Also vulture, the black vulture and griffon vulture looking for the herds of saiga on to take the booty among the new-born antelope. One of the most striking birds is also the demoiselle crane.

Swell

• William Riley, Laura Riley: Nature's Strongholds. The World 's Great Wildlife Reserves. Princeton University Press, 2005. ISBN 0-691-12219-9