Twenty saker falcons, raised specifically for return to the wild, were released in the Rubtsovskaya Steppe sanctuary in the Altai Territory. The birds were selected for their light coloration, characteristic of this particular area, and were provided free of charge by the Altai-Falcon nursery of Altai State University.
The saker falcon is one of the rarest predators in Russia. According to the latest estimates, no more than 1,2 thousand pairs nest in the country. The main reasons for the decline are the loss of steppe lands, a drop in prey numbers, and poaching. In the Altai Territory, the breeding and release program has been running for five years now; during this time, more than a hundred birds have been returned to the wild, and in 2026, thirty.
The choice of location is no accident. In the Rubtsovskaya Steppe, suitable nesting sites have been preserved, there is enough food, and there are few disturbing factors. Birds raised in captivity get a chance to adapt quickly and join the local population. Such releases help not only to increase numbers but also to support genetic diversity in isolated groups.
Such projects show how the targeted work of nurseries and sanctuaries can compensate for losses caused by human economic activity. In neighboring regions, an increase in other Red Book species is already being recorded — for example, Dalmatian pelicans. This confirms that restoration is possible when efforts are focused on specific territories and species.
Every released saker falcon is not just a bird but part of the living steppe ecosystem, where the predator regulates the number of rodents and maintains balance. Breeding and release programs are becoming one of the tools that make it possible to preserve what can still be saved.
Regular releases of rare predators into suitable lands help restore natural connections in steppe landscapes.
