Three Red Book falcons were released into the wild by scientists of Altai State University

June 22, three saker falcons were released into the natural habitat in Smolensky District of Altai Krai in the natural park “Altai Foothills.”

This action was attended by representatives of the South-Siberian Interregional Department of Rosprirodnadzor, the Foundation for the Preservation of Rare Birds "Saker Baloban", the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Altai Krai, as well as the nursery of rare birds of Altai State University "Altai-Falkon".

According to Oleg Merkushev, Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Rare Birds "Saker Baloban", the falcons went through serious training before being released into the wild:

— The birds were raised in an aviary, but thanks to training, they will quickly be able to adapt to the wildlife. Until release, the falcons are kept in free flight aviaries, which are about twenty meters in diameter and about eight meters high. There they develop flight skills and the experience of independent hunting in their natural habitat. Adaptation is an individual process. As a rule, it takes about three days, while the bird has a supply of nutrients. The falcon flies around the site, gets acquainted with the area, studies a new habitat. After a while, we make observations - whether the bird has successfully adapted to natural conditions. There are many methods: in some cases, these are trackers that are attached to the back of the birds. The electronic device detects the presence and shows the movement. However, the falcons of 2023 do not have such devices. They are ringed with non-removable rings in order to protect birds from poachers, each falcon has a tattoo on the tarsus "SOS-22". Such birds on the sales market are considered defective and are not allowed at auctions in Saudi Arabia.

The release of birds is part of the Saker Falcon reintroduction program in Altai Krai and the Altai Republic in 2021–2026. The founder of the Saker Foundation, Kristina Karamyshina, spoke in more detail about the program:

— This program was organized three years ago under the leadership of the South Siberian Interregional Department of Rosprirodnadzor in order to restore the falcon population in Altai Krai and the Altai Republic. Then it was decided to establish the Saker Foundation. The fund performs numerous functions: the first is paperwork: the bird gets included in the Red Book, and in order to be able to release it into the wild, it is necessary to issue permits, the second is preparation for the release. Birds that we take from the nursery must go through the preparation procedure in the nest box. Another way of releasing birds that we use is releasing through a heg - an artificial nest. Young chicks are settled there, which are from 3 to 4 weeks old. They do not interact with humans. The whole process of feeding is carried out through the feed window, and young chicks learn to eat themselves, gradually live food is added to their diet, a window for free flight of birds opens up a little later. At first, they have the opportunity to look around, and eventually go out and learn to fly. At the same time, falcons have the opportunity to return to the nest. In the Altai Republic, this method has already been used for two years. Let's hope that next year, together with Altaipriroda, we will also build a heg, and this method of reintroduction will be used in Altai Krai.

The natural park "Altai Foothills" was chosen as the place of release - one of the characteristic habitats of predatory birds. It combines low-mountain, middle-mountain and flat landscapes, which makes the forage base very diverse. In addition, the reserve is a specially protected area. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of Altai Krai, Head of the Department of Hunting Management Maxim Katernyuk noted the importance of comprehensive work on the restoration of the saker falcon population:

—The work is ongoing. We are not limited only to breeding and rescuing these rare birds, a lot of interdepartmental work is being carried out, in particular, with the Border Directorate of the Federal Security Service for Altai Krai. Every year cases of smuggling of rare animals are detected and suppressed. Last year, two such incidents were recorded, and we are not talking about one individual, but about five or even ten. In all cases, the perpetrators are criminally liable for the wrongful act. Today we release birds of prey in the natural park. The rangers of the park carry out both security measures and monitor the falcons. I would like to note the importance of the nursery of Altai State University "Altai-Falcon." Behind the Urals, the nursery of Altai State University is the only one where specialists of a wide profile work, who manage to save birds, get offspring and thereby successfully participate in the reintroduction program. Funding for this program comes from regional sources, as well as assistance from caring sponsors. If someone wants to contribute to the conservation of rare birds of Altai Krai, we will greatly appreciate it.

Director of the Zoological Center of the Institute of Biology and Biotechnology of the Altai State University, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Sergey Snigirev emphasized the importance of this event:

— Today is a significant day for us, as well as for our colleagues. Altai State University is the only university in Russia that has a nursery for rare birds. Altai-Falcon has been in existence for 30 years. Over the entire history of the nursery, more than half a thousand saker falcons have been bred and released into the wild. The main direction of the nursery's work is the breeding of saker falcons in captivity and artificially created habitat for the subsequent restoration of populations of Red Data Book birds. Within the framework of a cooperation agreement with the Research Institute of Ecology and Nature Management (Moscow), we were the first in the Russian Federation to carry out work on the genotyping of the existing livestock and its certification. Now no more than 12-18 pairs of saker falcons nest on the territory of Altai Krai and the Altai Republic. Huge damage to the population of saker falcons was inflicted in the 80–90s of the 20th century, when intensive poaching of the best elite specimens occured. This year, despite the difficult weather conditions, the nursery fulfilled the plan to receive chicks, some of which will be left to improve the breeding stock.
The university plans to expand the scope of reintroduction work. Our scientists pay great attention to fixing the phenotypic features of a unique variety of saker falcon, the so-called "Altai Gyrfalcon", which arose in the early post-glacial period on the territory of the Altai-Sayan mountain cluster. There are only five university nurseries in the world, including the famous Oxford nursery. I believe that Altai State University has every chance to enter the world association of university nurseries.

A trio of falcons were released from the rock of Ambarchik in the Foothills of Altai Natural Park. On this day, birds gained freedom and high flight.