(4 February 2026 | Source: publication "Uralskaya Nedelya")
Traces of illegal roe deer shooting, recorded near the village of Dostyk, have led to the initiation of a criminal case in the West Kazakhstan Region. Despite the arrest of one suspect, questions have arisen regarding the possible scale of poaching and the number of individuals involved in the hunt.
HOW THE POACHING INCIDENT CAME TO LIGHT
Video of the aftermath of the roe deer shooting was filmed by local residents and published on social media by the president of the national chamber of hunters and fishermen "Ayala", Batyr Seikenov. According to him, the illegal hunt took place on 11 January, and may have involved 10–12 people.
At the site where roe deer carcass remains were found after butchering, alcohol bottles were recorded, as well as snowmobile tracks and heavy machinery tracks, which, according to the author of the post, were used to clear access to the shooting site.
POLICE RESPONSE
The police department confirmed that the poaching incident had been substantiated. As part of the investigation, one resident of the city of Aksai has been detained.
Investigative measures are ongoing, and information about possible other participants in the hunt has not been officially disclosed.
POSITION OF THE POST'S AUTHOR
Batyr Seikenov insists that holding one person accountable does not reflect the true scale of what happened. According to him, potential participants in the hunt could have included businessmen, as well as individuals associated with state structures.
He also named the detained individual — Dmitry Miller, stating that he runs an auto repair business and had previously performed work under contracts with the akimat and the office of the Burlin District maslikhat. This information has not been commented on in police materials.
CONTEXT
At the same time, Batyr Seikenov is a figure with a controversial public reputation. Over the years, he himself has repeatedly been involved in high-profile discussions and scandals related to hunting and the regulation of wild animal populations.
His statements on nature protection have previously been accompanied by criticism and official denials from state bodies. These circumstances do not call into question the very fact of the initiated criminal case, but they do form the context in which the public accusations were made.
WHY THIS CASE IS IMPORTANT
According to data cited in the publication, there are approximately 1,500 roe deer in the West Kazakhstan Region. During the winter period, the animals are particularly vulnerable due to deep snow cover and a reduced food supply.
Hunting roe deer is prohibited from 31 December to 15 July, and any cases of shooting them during this period are subject to criminal liability.