On the island of Ogurjaly in the reserve, which belongs to the Hazar natural reserve of Turkmenistan, the number of gazelles has reached more than 2 000 individuals, according to the publication "Turkmenistan: Golden Age".
The nature reserve on the Ogurjaly island was established in 1982 with the aim of breeding gazelles here. The number of these animals in the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan at that time was greatly reduced, and there was a danger of their complete extinction. In order to increase their livestock, 13 gazelles were brought to the island from the Badhyz State Reserve. Now their number has reached more than two thousand. Every year, a certain part of the livestock is relocated from here to other reserves in the country.
Ogurjaly Island is a unique place. It is located 45 kilometers from the city of Turkmenbashi. Its total area is about 9 thousand hectares. The flora and fauna are very diverse here. It is warm on the island in winter, cool in summer. The mild climate creates favourable conditions for plants, of which there are about 65 species.
There are 120 bird species recorded on the island. Hundreds of bird species from Russia and Kazakhstan come here for wintering. In spring and autumn, they massively fly away to part of the Esenguly reserve. Coot, red-headed and red-billed duck, swan and flamingos are found in shallow waters. The freshwater Caspian seal, the smallest in the world, also lives here.
