Russia's Federal Security Service Uses Snow Owls To Secure Kremlin

Illustration of a snow owl. (Wikimedia Commons/Bert de Tilly)

JAKARTA - For the first time, the Federal Security Service (FSO) is introducing a new 'employee' to journalists, a male snow owl named Buran, who was born in 2020 and will celebrate his first birthday in July.

Together with six colleagues, Buran is a member of the ornithological group of the Moscow Kremlin Commander Service FSO, providing biological protection against crows and other corvids, which can damage cultural monuments, deter tourists, or damage important state events.

"The snow owl first appeared in the ornithology group, and now its youngest worker, Buran, has grown to the required adult size, about 60 cm tall, 140 cm wingspan and weighing about 1.5 kg," said a member of the unit. as quoted by TASS, Wednesday 23 June.

"Buran's job is to act as bait because snowy owls don't live in central Russia," the unit said.

Illustration of a snow owl. (Wikimedia Commons/Silver Leapers)

As a result, crows that see Buran will perceive him as a weak and easy target, the member continued. But any crows that approach are soon thwarted by Buran's 'comrades', a team of six other birds of prey guarding the Kremlin.

The team consists of Astur the eagle, Zeus the peregrine falcon, Hector the sacrificial eagle, Filya the eagle owl and other birds in the FSO Falconry Service, which has been operating since the Soviet era.

"Each member of the bird team undergoes special training to guard the Kremlin. The birds work in rotating shifts depending on their current physical condition and mood," the member explained.

Each bird is given a separate house with an area of one square meter. They are monitored by veterinarians who also treat the horses of the Presidential Cavalry Regiment's Honorary Guard.

To note, the ornithological service in the Kremlin has existed since 1989, after previously being involved with eagles by the Moscow Kremlin commander since 1983.

After 1991, the ornithological service was transferred to the office of the commander of the Moscow Kremlin, where in 2004 a unit was created, which was entrusted with the task of biological protection of the Moscow Kremlin from corvids.