Transmitters to unravel avian migration mystery

12/8/08

BHUBANESWAR: For the first time, migratory routes of birds that throng the Chilika lagoon would be determined through satellite telemetry.

An initiative that will throw light on the path that the avian visitors take to during their intercontinental migration, which has remained more or less shrouded in mystery, would see 35 birds of five species fitted with satellite transmitters.

A team from the United State Geological Survey (USGS) would impart technical training to the local wildlife as well as veterinary staffers as well as to members of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) which will play a major role in this satellite telemetry project along with the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Chilika, sub-continent?s largest birding site attracts over 7 lakh migratory birds including species from various parts of the globe. Of the 226 species recorded at the wetland during the winter, 95 species are inter- continental.

A similar satellite telemetry project was implemented on the Siberian cranes of Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan a few years back.

But this project promises to be big. "It's for the first time in India that multiple species are being fitted with such transmitters," Chief Executive, Chilika Development Authority (CDA), Sudarshan Panda said. Necessary clearance from Chief Wildlife Warden B.K.Patnaik has been secured for the programme.

Orissa, earlier, had witnessed satellite telemetry programme experimented on Olive Ridley turtles.

The amphibians were fitted with transmitters which were bigger in size than the ones to be attached to the birds.

"This initiative is likely to give us vital information on the migratory behaviour of birds", Panda said.

Besides, CDA is gearing up to carry out an extensive disease surveillance in the lagoon in wake of the avian influenza threat. The exercise would start on December 9 and conclude on December 17 during which teams would collect blood samples of the birds. The samples would be examined for presence of the H5N1 virus.

It is being carried out jointly by FAO, Ministry of Environment and Forests,Ministry of Agriculture, Wetland International, Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry besides BNHS, USGS and CDA.

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