Bioecological features of the bukhara deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i> bactrianus Lyd) in the lower Amu Darya State biosphere reserve

The Bukhara deer ( Cervus elaphus bactrianus ), one of the rarest subspecies of red deer, formerly ranged across significant areas of tugai forests along the Amu Darya and Zarafshan rivers. The Lower Amu Darya State Biosphere Reserve serves as a key center for the conservation and restoration of the Bukhara deer in the wild. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the habitat, behavior, seasonal activity, and population status of the Bukhara deer within the Lower Amu Darya Biosphere Reserve. Standard zoological methods were used to study the bioecological characteristics of the Bukhara deer. Research methods included route surveys, behavioral observations, biotechnical monitoring of feeding habitats, camera trap and remote sensing analysis, as well as geobotanical descriptions and food sampling. Research and observations show that the Bukhara deer’s diet in the Lower Amu Darya State Biosphere Reserve includes a wide range of local flora. The main factors influencing the population’s distribution and size are the presence of water bodies, food resources, and the degree of anthropogenic impact. An analysis of the age and sex structure indicates a stable population, with an optimal ratio of males, females, and young maintained, indicating normal reproduction of the species in the wild. Between 2021 and 2024, the Bukhara deer population in the NABR has shown fluctuating trends. Thus, the Lower Amu Darya Biosphere Reserve serves not only as a place for deer protection but also as an important territory for their reproduction.