The document discusses conservation efforts in the Caucasus region. It summarizes grants provided by the Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF) to support several protected areas in the region, including forests, national parks, and sanctuaries. These grants help fund activities like ranger salaries, tourism infrastructure, and species reintroduction. The region is biodiverse with many endemic plant and animal species, including the endangered Caucasian leopard. The CNF aims to support 15 parks protecting over 605,000 hectares by 2015 and has provided over 5 million euros in funding by 2020.

1. SUPPORTING PEOPLE CONSERVING NATURE IN THE CAUCASUS
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2. Bio-diversity Hotspots Worldwide
Prioritizing investment in areas rich with life is crucial.
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3. 3

4. THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION
The isthmus between the Black and Caspian seas forms a complex but
unified ecosystem. 4

5. Khosrov Forest State Reserve
€252,100 grant over 3 years
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6. Arevik National Park
€170,000 grant over 3 years
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7. Shikahogh State Reserve
€ 210,000 grant over 3 years
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8. Khustup Sanctuary
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9. Zangezur Sanctuary
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10. Lake Arpi National Park
Emergency funding in 2012
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11. Diliijan National Park
Management Plan and Red Deer Reintroduction
2012 - 2013
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12. Astounding Fauna
• 150 mammals live in the Caucasus
• The highest level of endemism in a temperate zone— 1/5 of mammals,
1/4 of the plants can only be found in the region
• Key stopover point for many migratory birds
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Caucasus Leopard Armenian Mouflon Bezoar Goat

13. Caucasian/Persian Leopard
• The largest leopard subspecies
• Native to the Caucasus mountains, northern Iran, eastern Turkey
• Less than 100 leopards exist in the South Caucasus eco-region.
Caucasus Leopard
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14. Bezoar Goat and Tur
The Armenian Mouflon—a
threatened ancestral sheep
found only in Armenia
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15. East Caucasian Tur Goitred Gazelle
Caucasus Leopard 15
Caucasian Viper Brown Bear

16. Bezoar Goats are found only in the eastern
part of the Caucasus.
Around 3,000 exist in the Khosrov Nature
reserve
CNF funding will support the breeding and
reintroduction of these endangered animals.
The Bezoar or “bearded” goat can
dash up a rocky cliff at 50 km per
hour. Populations exist in Armenia
and Azerbaijan. It is nearly extinct
in Georgia. 16

17. Kestrel
Imperial Eagle
Caspian Snowcock
Eurasian Spoonbill Imperial Eagle 17

18. Astounding Flora
• 6500 species of vascular plants
• 1600 are endemic (25% percent)
• One of world’s largest old-growth forests in a temperate zone
Delphinium pyramidatum Lilium szovitsianum
Swallowtail Butterfly on flower 18

19. Wild Orchid Iris atropatana
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20. CNF funds support tourist facilities and
maintain trails, fostering tourism development
BEFORE AFTER
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21. CNF supports Park Rangers
Salary supplements provide rangers with a living wage, helping ensure patrol and monitoring.
Horns of endangered
Caucasian Turs are prized
trophies for poachers.
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22. CNF funds support operating expenses and
capital purchases such as jeeps
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23. Framework
Agreement
Ministry of
CNF
Environment
50% Funding
(minimum)‫‏‬
50% Funding
(maximum)‫‏‬
PA
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24. CNF funds—more than € 5 million by 2020
700,000
CNF Funding
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
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25. Endowment
Built to Last
Charitable Trust
Limited Focus
CNF’s endowment covers administrative
costs. All new monies go to directly to the
parks and their programs!
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26. Campaign—15 Parks by 2015
By 2015 CNF aims to support 15 parks covering 605,000 hectares
Campaign 2015 Fundraising Campaign Goals
• 15 Parks
• € 1 million/ yr. in grants
• € 11.2 million
in new funds raised
• > 605,000 hectares
1.5 million acres
protected
Existing - € 15 million
New Private - € 4.5 million
New Public - € 6.7million
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27. 2012 Red Deer Reintroduction Project
Dilijan’s 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) of
pristine forests were once home to the
Caucasian red deer.
The unique sub-species is one of the most
endangered animals . CNF is teaming up
with WWF to bring this beautiful animal
back to the Armenia
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28. 2013 support for the first transboundry park in the
South Caucasus
Lake Arpi National Park, in north-western
Armenia, and Javakheti National Park in Georgia
together make up a spectacular mountain
plateau that houses grasslands, lakes and
wetlands. The area is globally recognized as an
important staging and breeding ground for more
than 140 bird species.
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