Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi A rescued Steppe eagle that was too exhausted to undertake its migratory flight has finally reached home in Kazakhstan, after experiencing the warmth of the country's hospitality.
The bird was forced to make a stopover in the UAE while on its winter migratory path. It had become too weak to continue flying owing to injuries. A concerned member of the public took the bird to Falcon Hospital where it was treated for several weeks and rehabilitated.
Once nursed back to health, the bird was handed over to the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD). On January 5 this year, the EAD released the Steppe eagle back into the wild in Al Ain, near Zakher area.
However, this relatively uncommon winter visitor's trip to the UAE served a bigger purpose.
The eagle became one of eleven migratory birds currently being tracked by EAD using satellite technology.
"The information that is collected as we track migratory birds is vital in helping conserve wintering routes, stopover sites and breeding areas.
"It leads to meaningful conservation implications. This is why we tagged the young Steppe eagle. They are not usual visitors here," Dr Salim Javed, deputy manager of the bird conservation unit at the EAD, said.
The Steppe eagle is more likely to be found in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
Long trek
When it was released, the bird continued its winter migration from Al Ain, and travelled nearly 4,000 km to reach southern Yemen, via Oman and Saudi Arabia, Dr Javed said.
The bird wintered in Yemen, near the strait of Bab Al Mandeb, until the end of February. During its spring migration, the bird flew more than 7,000km to Kazakhstan.
Habits
Migratory Patterns
Steppe eagles are uncommon winter migrants in semi-desert areas and mountains.
The distribution of Steppe eagles ranges over much of Central Eurasia to the Altai Mountains found in Tibet.
The subspecies ‘Orientalis' breeds from Central Eurasia and winters in the Middle East, Arabian Peninsula and South Africa. The ‘Nipalensis' subspecies winters in India and southeast China.
— R.A.
by rayeesa absal,staff reporter
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
