15 preserves and 20 reserves are the keepers of unique wildlife

The largest reserves of Azerbaijan are Zagatala and Gizilagaj, on the territories of which representatives of all endangered species of the region are united and protected. Ducks and sea gulls live side by side with the herons, cormorants, pelicans assimilated here since ever. In the summer, migrating flamingos add more than a touch of bright orange to the delta of the Kur river, where over 16 valuable fish species spawn and up to 200 different birds nest who feed on small amphibians and creepers.
The main surviving inhabitant of the Shirvan preserve is the deer-like Jeyran. You may spot herds or single animals and the mothers with their baby jeyrans are a precious sight. Sultan birds, bustard, little bustard, marble teal, spoon-bill, featured in the Red Rook, are rare and endangered species found only here.
One of the oldest monuments of nature are the lignum vitae and chestnut-leaf oak in the Girkan preserve, they are considered sacred sites by local villagers, who claim that if you embrace a tree before sunset and make a wish, your dream will come true. Dappled deer and the Talish pheasant are also at home here.
The Goy-gol preserve is engaged in the protection of and research into ancient cultural landscapes of the Minor Caucasus. The noble deer has been re-integrated here and the waters of beautiful lake Goygol are now once again so clean that they have become the watering hole for the many animals living wild on the grounds of the reserve.



Of Azerbaijan’s registered 107 existing types of trees, 31 can be found at Ilisu Reserve, among them oak, hornbeam, and beech, ash-tree, maple, nut-tree, willow, as well as wild-growing fruit trees, of which the apple-tree, pear and sweet cherry are among the oldest. Dog rose and especially the Azeri dog rose, blackberry and other bushes are in abundance here. The Caucasian persimmon, chestnut and Bear Filbert are among the relic and endemic types. Wildlife encompasses 35 species and bear can be seen quite often. Deer, the Dagestan goat, boar, wolf, fox, squirrel, badger, raccoon, hare, hedgehod and many more are equally widespread.

In the foothills leading up to the mountains, the Dagestan goats, Asia Minor moufflons, marals, Caucasian charnoises and roe deer are common. Jeyrans, foxes and jackals make their habitat in the semi deserts, so do hens, lynx, porcupine, leopard and panther. In autumn , when nuts and oak cones are ripe, wild boars and bears hold a feast in the forrests.
The banks of the Kur river are densly covered with so-called Tugay forests. Almost extinct trees grow in the foothills of the Talish mountains: box tree, silk acacia, lignum vitae, dzelkwa and yew.
In the sub-Alpine and Alpine meadows of Azerbaijan grow over 4000 species of plants and herbs, many which are used for natural medicine and ointments.