Three Amur falcons fitted with satellite transmitters released in Manipur's Tamenglong

Three Amur falcons fitted with satellite transmitters were released on Sunday afternoon at the Chiuluan roosting site in Tamenglong district, Manipur, as part of a conservation and research initiative to track the migratory patterns of the species.

 

The exercise was carried out by the Tamenglong Forest Division under the Forest Department of Manipur, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun. The field operation, which began on November 9, involved the capture of ten Amur falcons, of which three were selected for satellite tagging.

 

The birds, named Apapang (male), Ahu (female), and Alang (female), were fitted with lightweight satellite transmitters weighing about 3.5 grams each. These devices, attached using Teflon ribbons, will enable researchers to track the falcons’ transcontinental migration routes.

 

The release took place around 4 pm with local volunteers, forest officials, and researchers in attendance. The event concluded with a short prayer for the safety of the birds, led by Chiuluan village volunteer leader Dingsung Gangmei.

 

The operation saw participation from Kharibam Hitler Singh, Divisional Forest Officer, Tamenglong; Suresh Kumar, Scientist, WII; Range Forest Officers Joel Gangmei (Tamenglong) and Kh Johnson (Tamei); Devvrat Mori from Ahmedabad University; and members of the Rainforest Club Tamenglong, including Secretary Ramhiamang Gonmei and Director Mordecai Panmei, along with village volunteers.

 

The tracking of these tagged falcons is expected to provide crucial insights into the migratory behaviour of Amur falcons, which travel thousands of kilometres annually from breeding grounds in East Asia to wintering sites in southern Africa.