The Orenburg region is developing a recovery program for Przhevalsky's horse

The authorities of the Orenburg Region, the Orenburg Nature Reserve and Rosneft are developing the only program in Russia to restore the population of the Przhevalsky horse. This was reported in the press service of the oil company.

"The preservation of specially protected natural areas is our duty to future generations. These unique corners of nature support biological diversity and are the natural framework for the ecological stability of the region. The development of specially protected natural areas not only protects rare species of flora and fauna, but also creates the basis for ecological tourism, which contributes to the sustainable development of the region," said Andrey Vyazikov, Acting Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Property Relations of the Orenburg Region.

The project, initiated with the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin and supervised by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation and the government of the Orenburg Region, is aimed at preserving the Przhevalsky horse, listed in the Red Book with zero rarity status.

As part of its cooperation with business partners, the reserve has attracted Rosneft to participate in the program. Its subsidiary, Orenburgneft, became the official guardian of the foal, which was born on June 12 this year. A competition was announced to choose a name — as a result, it was named Buravka. The name is consonant with the word "boer" and contains a reference to the character of Russian folk tales Sivka-Burka.

Rosneft noted that cooperation between the company and the Center for Reintroduction to create a semi-wild population of the Przhevalsky wild horse in Russia will "contribute to improving the conditions of animal husbandry, nutrition and veterinary care, further study of endangered species, as well as the development of ecological tourism in the region."

Since 2015, a program has been implemented on the territory of the Orenburg Nature Reserve to create a semi-free population of the Przhevalsky horse. There are many rare and endangered species among the flora and fauna of the reserve. Of the total number of animals living in the reserve, 75 species are listed in the red books.