Flocks of Kulan (onager) living in the Badhyz national park in the south of Turkmenistan increased this spring. The stock of these rear animals now totals 1000 heads, the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports referring to the State news service (TDH).

As is known, Kulans are famous for their unique features - unpretentiousness, stamina and ability to get along without water and food for a long time. Specialists believe that famous Akhalteke horses and onagers have something in common.

The Badhyz state national part was established in 1941 with a view to preserve and examine Kulan's biology and to save the Central Asian biggest pistachio grove. The national park was given a scientific-research complex status by a decree of Turkmen president Saparmurat Niyazov in 1995. Scientists from different parts of the world come here to work. The nature of Badhyz was described in over 4,000 scientific articles, brochures and monographs. There were set up a museum of nature and a big scientific library in the natural park.

Badhyz has a centuries-old history. The vast territory in the far south of Turkmenistan was named "The country of winds" in early middle ages because of winds constantly blowing here. Thousands of years back this area was populated by people, which is proved by the remains of ancient fortresses, caravan routes and mounds. According to the ancient Arab sources, Badhyz was an independent state with the capital of Marin. Devastating wars, fought mainly because of aspiration to possess these plentiful pasturages, led to a sharp decline of its culture and economy. By the end of XVII century Badhyz represented an underpopulated deserted country.