Uzbekistan Returns 23 Red-Listed Snakes to Wilderness

Twenty-three snakes listed in Uzbekistan’s Red Book have been returned to their natural habitat in Surkhandarya, Tashkent Zoo reports. They include six Central Asian cobras (Naja oxiana) and 17 eastern boas (Boa constrictor). These protected species had been illegally captured and kept by private individuals.

During enforcement raids, inspectors from the Ministry of Ecology confiscated the snakes. They were temporarily housed at Tashkent Zoo, where they received care, veterinary checks and preparation for life in the wild.

Following expert approval from the Institute of Zoology, all 23 snakes were released into the natural zones of Kampyrtepa, Sherjon and Sholkon within the Surkhan State Nature Reserve, under the supervision of specialists.

The release contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and the restoration of ecological balance in these unique ecosystems. Authorities also remind the public that wild animals are not domestic pets. The illegal keeping, sale or purchase of such species may lead to criminal liability under national law.

Kursiv also reports that the Aral Sea National Park is now home to 116 bird species, 17 species of mammals and 15 species of reptiles.