A court in Karaganda has sentenced a man who illegally acquired and kept 35 birds of prey, including rare and endangered species, at his home, reports infohub.kz.
The case was heard by the Kazybekbi District Court. The defendant was charged under Part 1 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan — illegal acquisition and storage of rare species of animals and birds.
As the court established, in 2017 the man created an Instagram page called tanat.falcons, where he posted materials about national hunting with birds of prey, and shared his experience in keeping, caring for, and treating them.
From 2017 to February 5, 2026, he acquired rare birds from unknown sellers without the necessary permits. In total, 35 birds were seized from the defendant.
According to expert findings, among them were 31 saker falcons, one peregrine falcon, two golden eagles, and one northern goshawk.
In court, the man fully admitted his guilt and showed remorse.
The prosecutor asked for a one-year restriction of freedom and a three-year ban on activities involving rare animals and birds. The man and his lawyer petitioned for amnesty.
The court considered as mitigating circumstances his full admission of guilt, sincere remorse, and the fact that he had four minor children dependent on him. No aggravating circumstances were found.
“The man was sentenced to one year and six months of restriction of freedom and deprived of the right to engage in activities involving rare and endangered species for one year. However, under the law 'On Amnesty in Connection with the Adoption of the New Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan,' he was released from the main punishment of restriction of freedom,” the court reported.
The verdict has not yet entered into legal force.
Earlier it was reported that the birds seized from the man are temporarily kept at the Karaganda Zoo, but after the verdict comes into force, they will be released into the wild.