Köýtendag Nature Reserve | |
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Location |
Köýtendag District
Lebap Province, ![]() |
Coordinates | 37°48′N 66°30′E / 37.800°N 66.500°E |
Area | 271.4 km2 |
Established | 1986 |
Köýtendag Nature Reserve ( Turkmen: Köýtendag goraghanasy), formerly Kugitang Nature Reserve, is a nature reserve ( zapovednik) in the extreme east of Turkmenistan.
Established in 1986, it is located in the Köýtendag Range of Lebap Province and covers an area of 271.4 km2. [1] It spreads in the middle and upper mountain belt at an altitude of 900–3139 meters above sea level. The main feature of Koytendag are cave complexes ( more than 300 caves ) [2] that are unique in Eurasia and the diversity of geological processes that formed them and the beauty of geological phenomena. [3]
The highest peak of Turkmenistan— Aýrybaba—falls in this nature reserve. [1]
It also incorporates four sanctuaries:
This place is one of the 50 important areas for birds and biodiversity in Turkmenistan. [2] The reserve is home for the rare Heptner's markhor (Capra falconeri heptneri). [4]