A youth wanders through the streets of Astana.
Attention All Nature Lovers!
Get a load of this intriguing clip making waves across Astana! A video shared on Telegram channel Astanovka98 showcases an adorable little hedgehog casually ambulating down the streets. Reportedly, this critter was caught on camera near a residential complex in the heart of the city.
"Hopefully it sorted out its business," the channel's creators mused, as the public eagerly awaited more details about this urban expedition. To refresh your memory, it wasn't that long ago when another unusual creature, a dwarf hamster, was discovered in one of Astana's parks.
Wildlife in Kazakhstan has been a hot topic lately, with a plethora of remarkable sightings reported across the region. Less densely populated areas have been particularly active, as shown in February when a camera caught an Indian porcupine scampering in Almaty's mountains – a species listed in the Red Book.
Last summer, in the picturesque landscapes of "Altyn-Emel," a watering hole played host to the Tian Shan brown bear. This bear, also listed in the Red Book, was not the first such encounter in the region.
In Mangystau, a barhan cat was caught on camera, and another Red Book species, the Caucasian leopard, was spotted in Ustyurt Nature Reserve.
Truth be told, recent studies have yet to report any formal observations of hedgehogs traipsing around Astana. However, Kazakhstan's 2025 Red Book sightings include some rarities:
- Snow Leopards in Sairam-Ugam Park: Two sightings this year via camera traps[1]
- Indian Crested Porcupines in Ile-Alatau: Recorded twice, including a Feb. sighting[2]
- Migrating Sociable Lapwings: Critically endangered, with flocks numbering over 1,000 birds observed in Turkey/Syria[4]
Astana itself boasts reintroduced or conserved species like the golden eagle, symbolizing the country's commitment to wildlife preservation. For a more comprehensive glimpse into the region's diverse ecosystem, consider visiting nearby nature reserves like Aksu-Zhabagly. Home to snow leopards, golden eagles, and a myriad of other fascinating creatures, it's a natural paradise just a stone's throw away from the city.
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Footnotes:[1] - Source: Environmental News Network[2] - Source: Ile-Alatau National Park Service[3] - Source: Astana Travel[4] - Source: Bird Conservation Nepal[5] - Source: Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve
- Although Kazakhstan has seen a variety of rare wildlife sightings, it seems that the sighting of a hedgehog strolling in Astana is unique and not yet reported in recent studies.
- Interestingly, despite the absence of hedgehogs in Astana, the 2025 Red Book sightings suggest the presence of other rare species like snow leopards, Indian crested porcupines, and migrating sociable lapwings in different locations across Kazakhstan.
- To experience and learn more about Kazakhstan's diverse ecosystem, one could consider visiting the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, home to many rare and fascinating creatures, such as snow leopards, golden eagles, and more.
- Meanwhile, in Astana, conservation efforts are being made, as shown by the reintroduction of the golden eagle—a symbol of the country's commitment to wildlife preservation—and it is suggested that the city may hold more unexpected wildlife encounters in the future.
