Shirvan National Park

Shirvan National Park

Shirvan National Park is one of the national parks of Azerbaijan. It was established on 5 July 2003 and covers an area of 54 373.5 hectares. The National Park was established on the basis of the Shirvan State Reserve and adjacent territories established in 1969. The activities of the reserve are focused on the protection and reproduction of the Goitered Gazelle, waterfowl birds and the characteristic plant biotypes of the Shirvan Lowland. The area covers 25800 hectares, of which 3500 hectares are reservoirs. The park area was formerly at the bottom of the Caspian Sea and is now an accumulating plain, 20-25 m below sea level, with gently sloping land to the west. From a climatic point of view, the park lies in the area of temperate semi-desert and arid steppe. The summertime is hot and dry, the winters are cool and dry. The park is home to amphibians such as the Variable Toad, the Tree Frog and Marsh Frog, and reptiles such as the European Pond Turtle, the Caspian Turtle, the Spur-Thighed Tortoise, lizard, Grass Snake and Levantine Viper. Birds that can be seen in the area include bustards, Little Bustard, White-Tailed Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Saker Falcon. In winter, a number of migratory birds inhabit the water surfaces, such as Grey Goose, Mallard Duck and others. Rare mammal species include the Red Fox, Persian Gazelle, Wild Boar, wolf, jackal, Jungle Cat, badger and many more. The main protected sites are the natural semi-desert complexes of southeastern Shirvan, home to the world's largest population of Persian Gazelles.