Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)
Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 202523960
Conservation of the Steppe Eagle breeding population in the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion, Russia.
1. Estimation of current threats in known breeding groups of the Steppe Eagle. Field survey of breeding territories, identification of high priority transmission lines requiring installation of bird-protective devices (BPDs) and choosing key areas to be supported by artificial breeding platforms.
2. To reduce the mortality rate from electrocution by retrofitting high-priority transmission lines with BPDs by the Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Siberia (IDGC-Siberia). According to our recommendations in 2012, the IDGC-Siberia adopted a long-term plan to retrofit transmission lines. However, without public control, they rapidly lose effectiveness. We want to ensure the maximum efficient installation of BPDs in 2020/21.
3. To provide artificial breeding platforms to the areas lacking natural breeding substrates. In the last years in the ASER, we observed more and more Steppe Eagles breeding on trees and artificial constructions, thus avoiding ground predators and mitigating the impact of summer cold snaps on progeny. However, steppes usually lack big trees and other good places for building huge eagle’s nests.
4. To form a positive attitude towards eagle among local people and tourists. Low awareness sometimes resulted in persecution, killing and destroying of breeding habitat by locals. Tourists' attention could also result in the death of nestlings.