At the beginning of 2023, Zarubezhneft summarized the results of its 2022 activities under the federal project "Conservation of Biological Diversity and Development of Ecological Tourism" (part of the "Ecology" National Project) regarding the preservation and restoration of the West Siberian population of the Siberian crane (white crane).
Thanks to Zarubezhneft's financial support, all planned activities for 2022 were completed: renovations of the main production facilities at the Rare Crane Species Breeding Center of the Oka State Nature Reserve were finished; parent pairs were prepared for breeding, resulting in six chicks (four of which were viable); and five year-old chicks born the previous year were raised and released into the wild in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Staff from the All-Russian Research Institute for Environmental Protection (VNII Ecology) carried out preparatory work for a 2023 expedition to Yakutia to collect eggs from wild Siberian crane nests. This included adjusting the expedition budget, finding an alternative to expensive helicopter transport, exploring the rental of a "Sterkh-1" ultralight aircraft, developing a detailed flight route, and holding consultations on conducting reconnaissance aerial surveys of nesting sites using light aircraft.
Another significant 2022 milestone was the purchase of specialized equipment for VNII Ecology geneticists to conduct expanded studies of both captive and wild Siberian crane populations. In early December, it was announced that VNII Ecology representatives would participate in the 3rd meeting of the Russian-Uzbek Working Group on the implementation of the Environmental Protection Cooperation Agreement between the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Nature Protection. The meeting aimed to organize joint efforts to establish an alternative wintering ground for Siberian cranes in southern Uzbekistan.
Additionally, to promote corporate volunteer programs for biodiversity conservation, Company representatives participated in major conferences and forums under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources throughout 2022, presenting the project's achievements.