11 Saker falcons, listed in the Red Book, were seized by border guards during an attempted illegal export from Kazakhstan. The incident occurred on 31 October at the "Tselinny" checkpoint in Turkestan region.
WHERE THE EXPORT ATTEMPT WAS THWARTED
According to the Border Service of the National Security Committee (BS NSC), officers of the agency discovered the birds during an inspection at the "Tselinny" checkpoint in Turkestan region.
In total, 11 Saker falcons were seized. Border guards detained a Kazakh citizen suspected of attempting to illegally export rare birds out of the country.
The value of the falcons on the black market may exceed 100 million tenge.
AT WHAT STAGE THE CASE IS
The materials on the case were handed over to the competent authorities for a procedural decision to be taken.
The BS NSC continues its work to prevent the illegal export of rare and protected species of animals out of Kazakhstan.
CONTEXT
Cases of illegal trafficking of rare birds have been recorded in Kazakhstan before. For example, in July 2026 in Karaganda, 35 birds of prey were seized from a member of the "Qusbegilik" Federation, including Saker falcons, golden eagles and peregrine falcons. According to the investigation, the man had been illegally acquiring and keeping birds in a nursery on the territory of his household since 2017.
In February 2026, it was reported that a case of illegal trafficking of Red Book birds in Pavlodar region was being investigated. According to the investigation, employees of the national park may have been involved in the illegal capture of birds on the territory of the Bayanaul State National Nature Park. During 17 searches, more than 40 birds were seized, and preliminary damage was estimated at more than 120 million tenge.
