The mammal fauna (theriofauna) in Altyn-Emel National Park is represented by 7 orders and 70 species, 13 of which are listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan:
- Turkmen Kulan* — Equus hemionus onager
- Goitered Gazelle (Jeyran)* — Gazella subgutturosa
- Przewalski's Horse* — Equus przewalskii
- Argali (Tian Shan Wild Sheep)* — Ovis ammon
- Red Deer* — Cervus elaphus
- Asian Barbastelle (Broad-eared Bat)* — Barbastella leucomelas
- Tian Shan Brown Bear* — Ursus arctos
- Stone Marten (Beech Marten)* — Martes foina
- Marbled Polecat (Perevyazka)* — Vormela peregusna
- Central Asian Otter* — Lutra lutra
- Pallas's Cat (Manul)* — Otocolobus manul (syn. Felis manul)
- Turkestan Lynx* — Lynx lynx
- Snow Leopard (Irbis)* — Panthera uncia (syn. Uncia uncia)
Turkmen Kulan (Onager)* — Equus hemionus onager
Historically, kulans inhabited nearly the entire desert and semi-desert zones of Kazakhstan; however, the native Kazakh subspecies was completely exterminated by the mid-20th century. Population restoration began in 1953 when eight individuals of the Turkmen subspecies (onager) were introduced to Barsakelmes Island in the Aral Sea. In February 1982, due to deteriorating environmental conditions on the island, a group of 23 kulans was relocated to the northern shore of the Kapchagai Reservoir. The animals successfully adapted to the Ili Depression — a fragment of their historical range — and the first offspring were born in Altyn-Emel that very spring.
Over the past 40 years, the kulan population in the national park has increased more than a hundredfold. According to 2021 census data, the population reached 3,607 individuals, making it the largest population of this subspecies in the world. This high abundance has allowed Altyn-Emel to become a "donor" site: since 2024, the park has officially provided animals for reintroduction into other nature reserves across Kazakhstan.
The kulan belongs to the Equidae (horse) family. Externally, it resembles a donkey but possesses several characteristics linking it to the horse, which is why the species is often called a "half-ass." These animals prefer open landscapes with accessible pastures and watering holes. Kulans are prone to constant migration; however, if a sufficient food supply is available, they may remain in the same area for several days.
Within the national park, the main groups of kulans are concentrated on the plains from Besshatyr to Mynbulak and Shygan, as well as in the foothills of Matai, Degeres, Sholak, and the Kyzylauyz tract. Individual herds can also be found near the Katutau, Aktau, and Kalkan mountains. Their diet primarily consists of grasses, wormwood, and saltworts, with shrub vegetation consumed less frequently. The animals usually visit watering holes (the Kapchagai Reservoir and various springs) in the late afternoon or early evening.
Kulan behavior changes seasonally: in summer, they graze dispersed at a distance of 2–5 meters from one another, while in winter, they gather in dense formations. Long-distance treks are undertaken mainly during pasture changes or movements toward water sources.
The Turkmen kulan is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as a rare and vulnerable species.
Goitered Gazelle (Jeyran)* — Gazella subgutturosa
The goitered gazelle is a swift and graceful antelope, perfectly adapted to desert life. It is a medium-sized animal with a slender build and long, thin legs. A distinctive feature of the males is their lyre-shaped black horns, while females are typically hornless (polled). Its Kazakh name — "karakuiryk" ("black tail") — comes from its characteristic short black tail, which stands out vividly against its light-colored coat.
Goitered gazelles are widely distributed across the plains of Altyn-Emel National Park. Half a century ago, this species was on the brink of extinction; however, thanks to the territory's protected status, the local population has been restored. According to census data from February 2020, 5,181 individuals were recorded wintering in the park.
The total number of gazelles in the park is subject to seasonal fluctuations due to active migration within the Zhetysu region. The exact size of the sedentary "Altyn-Emel" group remains unknown, as primary counts are conducted during the winter concentration period.
The park's terrain and forage base allow the gazelles to utilize almost the entire territory — from the plains to the foothills of Sholak, Degeres, Matai, Kalkan, Katutau, and Aktau. In spring and summer, the animals disperse, preferring areas with rich vegetation in saxaul groves. In autumn, the main herd moves closer to the foothills, where green grass persists longer, and in winter, they concentrate in saxaul and shrub thickets. The key factor in their winter distribution is the depth of the snow cover: gazelles avoid areas where snow exceeds 10 cm.
In certain years, part of the population moves beyond the park in early spring, crossing the Sholak Mountains into the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert, returning to Altyn-Emel with the onset of cold weather. Their migratory paths include both seasonal and daily movements related to watering: in the morning, the animals move from the Kapchagai Reservoir, the Ili River, and the Mynbulak springs toward the foothills, returning to the plains by evening.
The gazelle's diet is diverse, including grasses, shrubs, and subshrubs such as wormwood, saltworts, dog-tooth violets, astragalus, ephedra, and saxaul. In spring, their fluid requirements are partially met by succulent ephemeral vegetation and water from khaks (temporary rain pools on takyrs). During the summer drought, animals visit watering holes 2–3 times a day, using the Mynbulak springs and the Kapchagai Reservoir, often reaching them through dry riverbeds.
The goitered gazelle is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan and the IUCN Red List as a rare species threatened with extinction.
Przewalski's Horse* — Equus przewalskii
The history of this species' discovery is inextricably linked to the name of the great Russian naturalist Nikolai Przewalski. In 1878, returning from his second Central Asian expedition, he stopped at the Zaisan post, where he received a gift from the merchant A.K. Tikhonov — the hide and skull of a wild horse caught by local Kazakh hunters. Recognizing the uniqueness of the find, the scientist sent the materials to St. Petersburg. In 1881, zoologist Ivan Polyakov published the first scientific description of the species based on these specimens, naming it in honor of its discoverer.
Until the 19th century, herds of these wild horses inhabited the vast plains of Kazakhstan; however, by the beginning of the 20th century, the species had completely vanished from the wild. It was preserved only through a small number of animals in zoos, which later created the conditions for the reintroduction of the species to its former habitats.
The modern breeding of Przewalski's horse is complicated by a limited initial gene pool. Inevitable in such conditions, inbreeding (the mating of closely related individuals) reduces the viability of the population. Furthermore, the animals are affected by the specifics of captivity, as in their natural environment, wild horses were in constant motion, covering many kilometers a day.
Przewalski's horse is the only species of truly wild horse in the world today. It was previously believed to be the ancestor of modern domestic horses; however, recent genetic studies indicate a different origin. It is most likely that Przewalski's horse is an even more ancient lineage (dating back to 3700–3100 BC) — a feral descendant of an already domesticated horse that became extinct for unknown reasons, while the successful domestication of the modern horse occurred much later, during the Bronze Age.
Przewalski's horse is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan and the IUCN Red List as an endangered species.
Argali (Tian Shan wild sheep)* — Ovis ammon
The argali is the largest species of wild sheep in the world. The males' primary distinction is their massive, heavily spiraled horns. Females are significantly smaller than males, and their horns are short and thin. The coat color ranges from light sandy to brownish-gray, featuring a characteristic light patch near the tail and a pale underbelly.
The argali is a rare representative of mountain-steppe fauna, inhabiting the Katutau, Aktau, and Kalkan massifs, as well as the lowlands of the Dzhungarian Alatau. The population in Altyn-Emel National Park is small; according to 2021 census data, 172 individuals were recorded. One of the main challenges to the species' conservation is seasonal migration beyond protected areas, where animals lose their protection and suffer significant losses.
Argali prefer open spaces with gently undulating terrain: plateaus, mild slopes, and rolling foothills. They avoid vast plains, choosing areas with low-growth mountain-steppe vegetation instead. During the summer, the main herds are concentrated in the Lesser and Greater Kalkans, Katutau, Aktau, and Sholak mountains; in the Degeres and Matai massifs, the species is found only in specific tracts.
The argali's life cycle is driven by seasonal movements. Spring-summer migrations begin in late May, as animals move from the Kalkan Mountains toward the Sholak, Degeres, and Matai massifs, crossing an intermountain basin 15–20 km wide. The mass autumn migration to wintering grounds takes place from mid-October to early December. With the onset of snow cover, the sheep descend to lowlands where snow depth does not exceed 20–30 cm.
The argali's diet changes seasonally. In spring and summer, it consists mainly of grasses (primarily feather grass), shrubby buckwheat, meadowsweet, saltwort, and fescue. In autumn, wild onions predominate, and in winter, the animals switch to feeding on the branches of white saxaul and tamarisk.
Wild sheep can go without water for long periods but visit springs regularly during the warm season. In the Kalkan massif, they use the only spring in the valley between Greater and Lesser Kalkans. Animals living further away are forced to descend to the Ili River, usually in the first half of the day. During rainy periods, argali drink from natural depressions, and in winter, they eat snow that persists in shaded areas until mid-April.
Currently, the highest population density of argali is observed in the Greater Kalkan and Katutau mountains.
The argali is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan and the IUCN Red List as a rare species that is Near Threatened.
Snow Leopard* — Panthera uncia (syn. Uncia uncia)
The snow leopard is a majestic and elusive predator that has become a national symbol of Kazakhstan. This large cat has a flexible, low-slung body and an exceptionally long, bushy tail that serves as a balance. The snow leopard's fur is thick and soft, smoky-gray in color, with large dark spots in the form of rosettes. This protective coloration makes it virtually invisible against the background of rocks, scree, and lichens. Thanks to its wide, fur-covered paws, the leopard moves easily through deep snow.
Between the 1950s and 1980s, the snow leopard inhabited all the mountain ranges of the southwestern Dzhungarian Alatau on a permanent basis, as well as the desert mountains of Katutau and Aktau, where it followed herds of Siberian ibex and argali. The well-being of the snow leopard population directly depends on the abundance of these hoofed animals.
Camera traps in the Dzhungarian Mountains have confirmed the permanent presence of the snow leopard and its cubs in Altyn-Emel. The animal is extremely cautious and leads a secretive lifestyle, rarely being spotted by humans. Nevertheless, due to past poaching, the species has become highly vulnerable, and its population has reached catastrophically low levels.
The snow leopard is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan and the IUCN Red List as an endangered species. Every year on October 23, International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated worldwide.
Siberian Ibex — Capra sibirica
The Siberian ibex is a high-altitude dweller characterized by a powerful build and a short tail. The males' most prominent feature is their massive, saber-shaped horns. Females are significantly more graceful and possess small horns. The coat color ranges from brownish-tan to grayish-beige, and adult males feature a distinct beard on their neck and chin. The ibex possesses a unique hoof structure with a soft, elastic center and hard edges, allowing them to gain traction on the narrowest ledges and climb nearly vertical cliffs.
In Altyn-Emel National Park, the Siberian ibex is a baseline ungulate species, inhabiting nearly all the southwestern spurs of the Dzhungarian Alatau. Its primary habitats are areas with rocky outcrops at altitudes ranging from 600 to 2,500 meters above sea level.
The life of the ibex is defined by seasonal migrations: with the onset of summer, a significant portion of the population migrates northeast to lush high-mountain pastures. In autumn, the animals return to the lowlands and mid-altitude areas of the Sholak, Degeres, Matai, and Altyn-Emel massifs. These mountain goats are often seen atop rocky peaks, where they can stand motionless for long periods, surveying their surroundings. They are extremely cautious animals that lead a secretive lifestyle; at times, only the sound of stones falling from under their hooves betrays their presence in the mountains.
The Siberian ibex is a vital link in the park's ecosystem, forming the dietary foundation for the snow leopard. In Kazakhstan, the species is under protection, and its conservation in Altyn-Emel is of key importance for maintaining biological diversity.
Eared Hedgehog - Erinaceus (Hemiechinus) auritus. A relatively widespread species in the territory of the national park, inhabiting the plain and foothill zones. The most preferred habitats are flat, slightly dissected plains, composed of sands, loams, rubble with tasbiyurgun, teresken, saxaul vegetation, and tugais forests. The abundance has been low in recent years.
Lesser Shrew - Sorex minutus. A common forest species found along the steppe foothills to the subalpine belt throughout the Dzhungarian Alatau massif, as well as in floodplains. The abundance is low.
Tundra Shrew - Sorex tundrensis. It lives within the borders of the national park, mainly in mountainous areas at an altitude of up to 1800 m. Prefers talus, slopes with bushes. The abundance is low.
Lesser White-Toothed Shrew - Crocidura suaveolens. The most common insectivorous species in Kazakhstan in almost all types of habitats.
Eurasian Water Shrew - Neomys fodiens. Inhabits the mountain rivers of the southwestern spurs of Dzhungarian Alatau. The abundance is low.
Piebald Shrew - Diplomesodon pulchellum. It is found along the sandy massifs of the Ili valley. The abundance is low.
