The ermine and sable are found in the hills. Wild boars, jackals, and deer are found near the rivers and lakes. The endangered snow leopard, which has long been illegally hunted for its fur, also lives in the mountains, preying on ibex. Kazakhstan's many different species of birds include ring-necked pheasants, partridges, black grouse, bustards, hawks, and falcons, all of which are native to the steppes. Kazakhstan is a paradise for lovers of sport fishing.
Fishermen take sturgeon, herring, and roach from the Caspian Sea.
Lake Balkhash situated 350 km away from Almaty is famous for its perches. Kazakhstan water reserves number about 150 species of fish. In parts of northeastern and southwestern Kazakhstan, where commercial fishing collapsed as a result of industrial and agricultural pollution, efforts to revive fish populations have shown some success.