The Karatau State Nature Reserve was established on March 01, 1944. It is located in the center of Karatau ridge, which is a branch of the northwestern arcs of the Tien Shan on the lands of the South Kazakhstan oblast. The reserve borders on Betpak-Dala, Kyzylkum, Moiynkum deserts. Its total area is 34,300 hectares.

The Karatau ridge, on which the Karatau Nature Reserve is located, is distinguished by an asymmetric structure. Its southwestern slope is relatively gentle and wide. The northern and northeastern slopes are characterized by significant steepness. Deep valleys of numerous rivers and temporary watercourses dissect the slopes of the ridge. Taldybulak, Khantagi, Biresik, Bayaldyr are among the relatively large rivers. By the way, the waters of none of them reach Syr Darya River – the main waterway, thereby losing flow at the foot of the slopes.

The fauna of the Karatau Reserve has changed significantly over the past hundred years. During this time, the snow leopard and Tian Shan brown bear were destroyed in this territory, and some commercial species, such as tolai hare, argali, roe deer, wild boar, have become very rare. The protected lands are inhabited by three species of mammals included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. These are Karatau argali, stone marten, Indian crested porcupine.

The local ornithofauna, which is represented by 118 species, is distinguished by its richness and species diversity. There are 12 species of birds in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, in particular the owl. Houbara bustard, demoiselle crane, saker falcon, vulture, bearded eagle, golden eagle, steppe eagle, dwarf eagle, short-toed eagle, black stork, white stork. Currently, the entomofauna of the reserve has more than 152 species.

The flora of the Karatau Nature Reserve is represented by 1,600 species of higher vascular plants. The flora of higher and lower spore plants remains insufficiently studied. The Syr Darya Karatau occupies a leading position in the number of endemic species. So, about 650 species grow in the protected area. According to scientists, 76 of these species are endemic.