ASTANA — Feeding wild swans is strictly prohibited, specialists from Burabay National Park said on April 1, as Kazakhstan marks International Bird Day, Kazinform reported.
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The date dates back to the International Convention for the Protection of Birds, signed on March 19, 1902. It is observed annually to raise awareness of bird conservation, migration, nesting, and biodiversity protection.
Park experts emphasized that large wild birds, such as swans, are fully capable of finding food on their own and maintaining natural behavior. Human interference, they warn, can disrupt survival mechanisms and ultimately harm the animals.
At the same time, special feeders have been installed for small resident birds along shorelines and in populated areas. These feeders help support birds during transitional seasons and also serve as a tool for environmental education, particularly for schoolchildren.
Among the species commonly visiting feeders are tits, nuthatches, magpies and pigeons.
Ornithologists stress that birds play a crucial role in ecosystems: they regulate insect and small animal populations, disperse seeds, contribute to forest regeneration and help maintain the balance of food chains.
“The condition and number of bird species are key indicators of the overall health of the environment,” park representatives said.
Strict regulations are in place within the national park, including a ban on disturbing nests, burrows, dens and anthills, measures considered essential to preserving natural ecosystems.
Kazakhstan is home to more than 500 bird species, both resident and migratory, with around 57 listed in the national Red Book as endangered. Distribution varies across regions: northern and central lakes host whooper swans, while степные зоны are home to species such as demoiselle cranes and steppe eagles.
The avifauna of Burabay National Park includes 221 bird species, of which 16 are listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book, and 21 have protected status under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These include the whooper swan, osprey, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon, steppe eagle, demoiselle crane and eagle owl.
“With the arrival of spring, the first swans return to the lakes, marking an important natural event. Birds follow their ancient migration routes,” the park representatives said.
