Shikahogh State Reserve

Shikahogh Reserve is located in the Marz (region) of Syunik, on the south-eastern slope of mountain Khustup and on the north-eastern slope of mountain ridge of Megri in the upper basins of the rivers Tsav and Shikahogh, at a height of 700-2800 m. It was founded in 1958 and occupies an area of about 10,330 hectares. The area of the reserve has split relief. There are many mountain streams and mineral springs. Shikahogh Reserve is abundant in variety of flora and fauna. One can meet here 1,100 species of higher plants of 432 genera and 92 families, 70 of which are registered in the Red List of the RA. In general, almost all the area of the reserve is covered with forests. Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis) and European or common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Georgian oak (Quercus macranthera) and Caucasian or the Persian oak (Quercus iberica) oak, common yew, the oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), (the only plane-tree grove in the Caucasus) are spread.There are also wild fruit trees: pear tree, eastern apple tree (malus orientalis), yew tree, Juglans regia (walnut), linden, ash tree, maple, elm, plum tree. From shrub species occur pistachio (Pistacia mutica), chestnut, pomegranate tree, fig tree, mespilus, commonly called medlar. There are 18 species of rare mosses. Fabronia pusilla is especially known of them. Macrovipera lebetina, the grass snake (Natrix natrix), sometimes called the ringed snake or water snake, scheltopusik or European legless lizard, Viper Rudd or Armenian viper (Vipera raddei) are known of reptiles. Caspian snowcock (tetraogallus caspius), golden eagle, griffon vulture are known of the birds and brown bear, badger, wild boar, chamois, wolf, fox, European rabbit or common rabbit, long-eared hedgehog, sometimes bezoar goat (wild goat), panther are known of mammals. Many of the animals are also registered in the Red List of the RA.