Martes foina

Pine marten

Phylum Chordates (Chordata)
Class Mammals (Mammalia)
Order Rodents (Rodentia)
Family Squirrels (Sciuridae)
Genus Marmots (Marmota)
Species Authority Erxleben, 1777
Summary Status: rare (Category III), its population size is decreasing. It is distributed in the foothills and alpine belts of the Talas, Karzhantau, Karatau, Chu-Ili, Dzhungar Alatau, Tarbagatay and Saur mountains. The population size in the 1960s was rather high, with approximately 3,000 individuals counted in the Dzhungar Alatau and the northern Tian Shan mountains. After the severe winter of 1968-1969, the number of animals decreased to approximately 500 in these areas. The total population continues to decrease due to poaching and climatic changes. In Kazakstan artificial breeding of this animal has not been implemented, although it is known to adapt well to captive conditions. It is protected in the Almaty and Aksu-Dzhabagly Reserves and in number of other reserves. In order to further protect this animal, it is necessary to intensify habitat protection and educate people about the significance of this valuable animal.
