Siberia to Rajasthan, crane units a flight report – 3,676 km | India Information – Instances of India

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AIPUR: A tagged Siberian Demoiselle crane has soared additional within the pecking order of lengthy flights, taking a detour to wing over 3,676km to Rajasthan and setting a brand new distance report for migratory birds arriving within the state.
Nicknamed Sukpak, the crane swooped all the way down to Khichan in Phalodi district. It was clicked by an Australian vacationer, Carolyn Synnott, at Khichan’s famend feeding station. Sukpak was recognized by a particular yellow-blue ring on its leg. The earlier longest recorded flight for a Demoiselle crane was about 2,800km, for a fowl tagged in Mongolia. “This can be a male crane, tagged by our staff on July 20, 2024. He was the elder of a two-chick brood,” stated Elena Mudrik, a Russian crane researcher.

Crane’s reverse migration path outstanding, say specialists
Dau Lal Bohra, member of a Crane Specialist Group at Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and a contributor to the 1000 Crane Mission, attributed Sukpak’s record-breaking distance to the truth that it was ringed – tagged for identification – in far-flung Tyva, a republic in south-central Siberia of Russia.
“Tyva borders northwestern Mongolia and lies within the higher Yenisey river basin. As a result of area’s harsh circumstances, this was the primary time researchers efficiently ringed birds there. For the reason that ringing was performed at an additional location, it elevated the migration distance,” stated Bohra.
What makes Sukpak’s journey extra outstanding is its surprising route via Pakistan. “Historically, Demoiselle cranes cross Himalayan valleys and enter India through Nepal. Nevertheless, Sukpak’s route traversed Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan earlier than it entered India via Jaisalmer. That is the reverse of the standard migration path, usually noticed throughout their return journey. It’s the most vital discovery in Demoiselle crane migration patterns,” Bohra stated.
At current, almost 20,000 Demoiselle cranes – Kurjan in native parlance – are roosting at Khichan for his or her winter sojourn. Lately designated as a conservation reserve, Khichan has grow to be a secure haven for these majestic birds. “Khichan is India’s first reserve for Demoiselle cranes. This milestone not solely enriches our understanding of fowl migration but in addition highlights the necessity to preserve these species and their habitats,” an skilled stated.