SIBUR supported the largest release of saker falcons in Tatarstan.

      Today, 20 chicks of the Saker Falcon were released into the wild as part of a program to restore the population of this rare red-listed bird. This is the largest release during the entire period of the project's implementation, which is supported by SIBUR. The release of the birds took place with the participation of scientists, ornithologists, and volunteers. Ten chicks were transplanted into specially equipped hacks—artificial nests—in the Kamsko-Ustyinsky district. Another ten were released in the Saralinsky section of the Volga-Kama State Nature Biosphere Reserve. "The Saker Falcon is a living symbol of the grandeur and strength of nature. The return of this species to the territory of Tatarstan is the result of systematic work by scientists, volunteers, businesses, and authorities. On Russia Day, we are launching the fourth stage of the project, and this is our common success," noted the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Tatarstan, Azat Ziganshin. The population of Saker Falcons in Tatarstan has been restored with the support of SIBUR since 2023. The project also involves the Ministry of Ecology of Tatarstan, the A.I. Shchepovskikh Foundation, the "Kept" company, the Kazan Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Volga-Kama Reserve, Kazan Federal University, and the "Sapsan" nursery from the Moscow region. During this time, 24 falcons have been released into the wild. In 2025, for the first time in many years, offspring from breeding pairs of Sakers appeared at the Kazan Zoo and Botanical Garden. The chicks were named Alga and Timer. With the chicks released today, the total number of reintroduced Saker Falcons in the republic has reached 44 individuals. "For SIBUR, supporting biodiversity conservation projects is an important part of systematic work in the field of sustainable development. The project to revive the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon unites the scientific community, environmental organizations, government authorities, and businesses around a common goal—the restoration of this rare red-listed species in its historical range. It is especially important that over three years of project implementation, we have not only successfully released 24 chicks into their natural habitat but also created a foundation for a long-term program to return the Saker to the ecosystems of Tatarstan. We are confident that such initiatives make a significant contribution to preserving the natural heritage of the region and fostering a responsible attitude towards the environment for future generations," said the General Director of Kazanorgsintez, Ayrat Safin. A feature of this release was the use of domestic GPS trackers. For the first time, Russian monitoring devices were installed on the birds, allowing their movements to be tracked without the use of foreign technologies. The unique system was developed by Russian specialists with the participation of the Roszapovedcenter of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia and will be tested in field conditions in Tatarstan for the first time. It has become the first complex of its kind in the country, fully created based on domestic technologies. The system uses "Internet of Things" technologies, satellite communication, and LPWAN data transmission networks, allowing information to be received even in areas without cellular coverage. Thanks to energy-efficient components and solar cells, the devices can operate autonomously for several years. The main hardware components are produced at a facility in St. Petersburg. "This release is unique. The Sakers were released into free flight, marked with Russian trackers. Our colleagues from Ecophactor worked for more than a year on their creation. Such development became possible thanks to the support of SIBUR within the framework of the 'Business and Biodiversity' initiative of the federal project 'Preservation of Biological Diversity and Development of Ecotourism' of the national project 'Environmental Well-Being'," noted Olga Krever, Deputy Director of the Roszapovedcenter of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia. The Saker Falcon is one of the key predators in the ecosystem and a natural regulator of rodent populations, including in agricultural areas. In the mid-20th century, the species virtually disappeared from the region due to poaching, the plowing of virgin lands, and the use of chlorinated organic pesticides.

      The work on restoring the population is planned for many years. The A.I. Shchepovskikh Foundation has approved a program for 2026–2030 with the prospect of extending it until 2036. At the same time, the Volga-Kama Reserve is preparing its own program for the release of Saker Falcons in the Saralinsky section. The document is currently undergoing approval at the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia. It was here that the nesting of the Saker Falcon was officially recorded for the last time—in 1974. Work is also ongoing in the republic to develop infrastructure for the conservation of rare birds of prey. The State Committee of Tatarstan for Bioresources plans to reconstruct the school building in the village of Russkoye Azeleyevo in the Zelenodolsky district into the "Shonkar" center—a nursery for breeding rare birds of prey.

      Photos provided by the press service of "Kazanorgsintez"

      More news about the event:

      SIBUR supported the largest release of Saker Falcons in Tatarstan

      Today, 20 chicks of the Saker Falcon were released into the wild as part of a program to restore the population of this rare red-listed bird. 19:25 11.06.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      In Tatarstan, 20 red-listed Saker Falcons were released for Russia Day

      These birds were last observed in the republic more than 50 years ago. On the eve of Russia Day, 20 chicks of the Saker Falcon, listed in the Red Book, were released into their natural habitat. 19:18 11.06.2026 Real Time - Kazan

      Tatarstan released 20 red-listed Saker Falcons into the wild for Russia Day

      Press service of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Tatarstan. 17:03 11.06.2026 Newspaper Posinform - Nizhnekamsk

      In Tatarstan, 20 red-listed Saker Falcons were released for Russia Day

      On the eve of Russia Day, 20 chicks of the Saker Falcon, listed in the Red Book, were released into their natural habitat. 16:43 11.06.2026 Ministry of Ecology - Kazan

      Tatarstan launches the fourth stage of the Saker Falcon rescue

      On the eve of Russia Day, Tatarstan is launching the fourth stage of the revival of the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon. 16:16 11.06.2026 Zainsk-inform - Zainsk

      Tatarstan launches the fourth stage of the Saker Falcon rescue

      On the eve of Russia Day, Tatarstan is launching the fourth stage of the revival of the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon. 15:01 11.06.2026 Zainsk News - Zainsk

      In Tatarstan, 20 Saker Falcons will be released into the wild to restore the rare population

      Tatarstan is starting the fourth stage of the project to revive the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon. 14:34 11.06.2026 GTRK Tatarstan - Kazan

      In Tatarstan, 20 young Saker Falcons will be released into the wild

      The republic is beginning the fourth stage of the project to restore the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon. 14:22 11.06.2026 Newspaper Novaya Kama - Yelabuga

      In Tatarstan, the fourth stage of the revival of the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon is starting

      20 young Saker Falcons will be returned to the wild almost simultaneously. On the eve of Russia Day, Tatarstan is launching the fourth stage of the project to revive the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon. 11:31 11.06.2026 Zelenodolsk News - Zelenodolsk

      In Tatarstan, the fourth stage of the revival of the Saker Falcon population is starting

      On the eve of Russia Day, Tatarstan is launching the fourth stage of the project to revive the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon. 10:23 11.06.2026 Leninogorsk Vesti - Leninogorsk

      In Tatarstan, 24 Saker Falcons have been released into the wild over three years

      In 2025, for the first time in many years, offspring of Sakers appeared in Tatarstan—two chicks were born in the zoo. 10:01 11.06.2026 Almetyevsk RTV - Almetyevsk

      In Tatarstan, the fourth stage of the Saker Falcon population restoration program is starting

      On the eve of Russia Day, Tatarstan is launching the fourth stage of the program to restore the Saker Falcon population in the Volga-Kama territory. 09:55 11.06.2026 Bavly-inform - Bavly

      In Tatarstan, the fourth stage of the project to return the red-listed Saker Falcon is starting

      The initiative corresponds to the national project "Environmental Well-Being." On the eve of Russia Day, another stage of the revival of the Volga-Kama population of the Saker Falcon is beginning in the republic. 09:51 11.06.2026