In a significant step toward wildlife conservation, three Amur falcons were fitted with satellite transmitters and released in Manipur on Tuesday. This pioneering initiative aims to map the incredible migratory journey of these birds from Siberia to Africa.
Tracking the Long-Distance Travelers
The tagging operation was conducted at the Chiuluan roosting site in Tamenglong district, a crucial stopover for these feathered travelers. The Tamenglong forest division collaborated with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun to execute this important project that began on November 9.
From ten captured falcons, three were carefully selected for the satellite tagging program. The team used lightweight 3.5-gram transmitters attached with Teflon ribbon to ensure the birds could continue their journey without discomfort. The male falcon received the name Apapang, while the two females were christened Ahu and Alang.
Ceremonial Release and Conservation Measures
The birds were released at approximately 4 PM on Tuesday afternoon in a ceremony that blended science with local traditions. Dingsung Gangmei, leader of the Chiuluan village volunteers, led a brief prayer session wishing the falcons safe passage on their remarkable migration.
Meanwhile, in a parallel conservation effort, the additional district magistrate of Noney district has imposed a complete ban on airguns throughout the district. This decisive action aims to protect migratory birds, particularly the Amur falcons, from hunting and disturbance during their stay in the region.
Importance of the Migration Study
Amur falcons undertake one of the most impressive migratory journeys in the avian world, traveling thousands of kilometers annually between their breeding grounds in Siberia and wintering areas in Africa. Tamenglong serves as a critical resting and refueling point during this extraordinary transcontinental flight.
The satellite tagging project will provide invaluable data about the specific routes these birds take, their stopover locations, and the challenges they face during migration. This information will help conservationists develop more effective protection strategies for these remarkable long-distance travelers.
