Mystery Creature Sculpture Near Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Stuns Locals, Travelers

A curious new roadside attraction - a sculpture blending the features of a snow leopard and a fish - has been spotted along the bypass road leading to Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul, sparking intrigue among both motorists and social media users.

Perched on a pedestal at the entrance to a popular local resort, the fantastical creature has the muscular body of a predator and the tail of a fish, standing as if guarding the premises, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kyrgyz media.

The surreal figure has prompted speculation online: Is it a cultural symbol, an avant-garde art piece, or simply the imaginative work of a local sculptor?

Some observers have compared the creature to Singapore’s famous Merlion - the lion-fish hybrid that has become a national icon. While the origins and meaning of Kyrgyzstan’s own “mythical hybrid” remain unclear, it seems poised to become a quirky new landmark in the region.

photo: 24kg