Rosneft’s Samara Group of enterprises — Samaraneftegaz, Novokuibyshevsk Refinery, Kuibyshev Refinery, Syzran Refinery, Novokuibyshevsk Petrochemical Company, Novokuibyshevsk Oils and Additives Plant — summarised the results of a regular grant competition to support R&D initiatives.

The Samarskaya Luka National Park’s project to protect and conserve the largest and rarest bird in the Volga region, the white-tailed eagle, won the competition. This species is listed in the Red Book of Russia and the International Red Book.

With the help of oil workers, the scientists will continue to search for white-tailed eagle nesting sites, organise field work to assess population numbers and develop measures to protect nesting sites. There are also plans to carry out extensive educational work: setting up information stands along tourist routes and ecological trails on the white-tailed sea eagle and the measures taken to protect it, creating a bank of photographic and video material, developing information brochures and photo albums dedicated to this rare bird, and preparing scientific articles.

Studying the habitat conditions of a rare bird species is of great environmental and scientific importance. In 2024, 15 pairs of white-tailed sea eagles were recorded thanks to video surveillance. A total of 6 eagle nesting sites have been identified within the National Park. Scientists have found that five nests have two nestlings each and another has three. According to preliminary estimates, there are no more than 200 white-tailed sea eagles in the region during the nesting season, and the data collected from the observations makes it possible to forecast population growth in the park.

The ornithologists noted the successful escape of young birds from the nests and their adaptation to independent life. In areas where eagle nesting has been reliably established, a special environmental regime has already been put in place, restricting human visits to these sites. The scientists point out that under such conditions, other rare birds listed in the Red Book of Samara Region will be able to breed in these places.

The activities carried out under the Rosneft grant programme will help to make the Samarskaya Luka National Park a favourable habitat for the white-tailed eagle, and to preserve and increase its population throughout the Middle Volga region.

Rosneft focuses on the preservation of ecosystems in Russia’s regions and implements comprehensive programmes to restore natural resources. The company has supported research and conservation programmes for many rare animal species. These include polar bear, Atlantic walrus, white gull, geese and marals of Evenkia, wild reindeer and others.

Rosneft
Information and Advertising Department
October 25, 2024

Keywords: Environmental news 2024