IUCN SSC Wild Tulip Specialist Group
An expert group aimed at conserving wild tulip species worldwide
In Spring 2025, members of the IUCN SSC Wild Tulip Specialist Group visited Kyrgyzstan primarily for outreach and media purposes. The expedition included attending the Tulip Festival in Bishkek and filming wild tulips in remote areas. The team experienced the beauty of an array of diverse tulip species and the stunning landscapes of Central Asia on their journey.
In 2019, in the pasturelands near Toktogul reservoir in western Kyrgyzstan the sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon. Light became a murky orange-yellow and the landscape came alive with long shadows. It was here where we were standing after a long drive over the mountains that we came across a little yellow tulip. … Continue reading Tulipa toktogulica, the story of a new tulip species
It was with great excitement that I set off for Central Asia for the first time since the Spring of 2019. After a few years of global pandemic that had left me organising expeditions in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan which I could not be part of, it was finally time to return to the wild! Although … Continue reading The land of mountains
Our car made to look small by the overpowering landscape. I would walk 500 miles… Between the 26th and the 29th of April the tulip team assembled again to head into the north-east region of Kemin. Georgii, Ormon, Isken, and I were now well acquainted and formed quite the formidable team. The bitter cold had … Continue reading 500 miles
On Tuesday the 9th of April I set off from London Stansted on my way to begin the first fieldwork period of the tulip conservation project. After two flights and little sleep I arrived in Bishkek on Wednesday and was warmly welcomed by Dr. Jarkyn Samanchina of the Kyrgyz Fauna and Flora International branch. There … Continue reading Heading deep into southern Kyrgyzstan
IUCN SSC Wild Tulip Specialist Group 