Kazakhstan releases golden eagles into wild to revive endangered national symbol

Conservationists raise and train golden eagles for release as poaching and habitat loss threaten species’ survival in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Conservationists in Kazakhstan have released four golden eagles into the wild as part of a national effort to protect the country’s iconic raptor, which faces a steep population decline.

The project is led by the Sunkar nursery, located near Almaty, and continues a broader conservation campaign titled “Save the Golden Eagles!” 

The initiative builds on earlier efforts under the “Make Your Contribution. Save Nature” project, which ran from 2012 to 2019 and successfully returned 25 golden eagles to their natural habitat.

According to the independent media outlet Orda.kz, golden eagles are classified as a protected species in Kazakhstan’s Red Book. While global estimates put the total population at around 100,000, fewer than a few hundred nesting pairs remain in Kazakhstan. Data from 2012 recorded only 650 breeding pairs in the Almaty region.

The Sunkar nursery currently maintains two breeding pairs of golden eagles. Each pair can produce between four to eight chicks annually. To prepare the birds for survival in the wild, they are raised in isolation from humans and other animals to avoid dependence on people and to promote natural behaviors.

The eagles are housed in a large, cylindrical enclosure topped with netting and covered in grass. The structure allows young birds to practice flying and hunting in a semi-natural setting. They are trained to hunt independently before release, ensuring they are capable of surviving on their own.

This year, two male and two female eagles were released at the Malaisary Ridge, a mountainous area west of the Jetisu Alatau range. It marks the first time the project has moved beyond the Almaty region. The precise release location has been kept confidential to protect the birds from poachers.

Strict criteria are used to determine release sites, including distance from human settlements, elevation, food availability, and terrain suitability. 

Experts will continue monitoring the released eagles to assess their adaptation. Supplementary feeding may be provided if needed, and conservationists hope the birds will establish nests in the months ahead.

Organizers say the success of the release could lead to the program’s expansion across Kazakhstan in the coming years, offering new hope for the survival of the country’s most revered bird of prey.