Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve

The Tigrowaja - Balka Nature Reserve is located in Tajikistan on the bank of the Vakhsh River on the border with Afghanistan. It extends over 40 km in length from southwest to northeast.

The highest elevations of the reserve reach about 1,200 m above sea level. The climate is continental and dry. Among the various habitats including semi-desert, savannah -like grasslands with pistachio trees and lush on the flood plain Tugai - vegetation of poplars, willows oil and tall grasses.

The area was one of the last refuges of the extinct Caspian tiger whose traces were detected in 1953 for the last time in the reserve. Today it houses at least still its main prey, the Bucharahirsch ( according to different estimates 130-270 copies, as of 2011). In addition, striped hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, wild boar, gazelle, porcupine and the introduced nutria occur. Also, wolves, red foxes, as well as in the hilly areas Urials among the mammalian species of the reserve.