Migration of first-year steppe eagles (Aquila nipalensis) from northern Kazakhstan and implications for conservation

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Abstract

Extensive anthropogenic alteration of steppe ecosystems throughout Eurasia leaves central Asia with some of the world’s last remaining large expanses of grassland habitat. Steppe eagles (Aquila nipalensis) are globally endangered breed primarily in these steppe ecosystems. We evaluated migratory movements of first year steppe eagles hatched in northern Kazakhstan, to understand their migration and the extent to which their movements expose them to threats that may impact population viability. Most steppe eagles we monitored migrated to the east of the Caspian Sea to wintering grounds on the Arabian Peninsula or northeastern Africa, although a few migrated to the west of the Caspian Sea, one wintered in southcentral Iran, and one in southern Pakistan. Northbound migration routes largely mirrored southbound routes. Straight-line distance between summering and wintering grounds averaged 3,582 km (fall) and 3,700 km (spring), and actual distance traveled averaged 7,183 km (fall) and 9,433 km (spring). Routes of travel of these steppe eagles expose them to potential electrocution, shooting, and wildlife trade across the extent of their migratory and wintering areas.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Migration of first-year steppe eagles (Aquila nipalensis) from northern Kazakhstan and implications for conservation
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher A. Baitursynov Kostanay Regional University
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description 8 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title Biological diversity of Asian steppes
First page 310
Last page 317
Conference Title IV International Scientific Conference
Conference Location Kostanay, Kazakhstan
Conference Date April 14, 2022
Country Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen
State Aktobe, Kostanay
Other Geospatial Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf
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