Avian Migration Telemetry: Satellite Transmitters Map 6,000 KM Trans-Oceanic Journey of Raptors from Southern Africa
Documenting one of the most phenomenal long-distance avian endurance journeys within the animal kingdom, the **Wildlife Institute of India (WII)** alongside the Manipur Forest Department has successfully tracked the return spring migration of two satellite-tagged Amur Falcons. Named **Apapang and Alang**, the two raptors were fitted with lightweight satellite transmitters in Manipur in November 2025, providing scientists with real-time migration parameters as they fly back from Southern Africa to East Asia.
The Trans-Oceanic Raptor Matrix and IUCN Safeguards
The wildlife telemetry study removes geographic tracking blindspots to map the massive trans-continental flyway patterns of birds of prey:
- The 6,000 KM Arabian Sea Crossing: The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is an elite long-distance migratory raptor that accomplishes a mind-boggling **6,000 km continuous flight in about six days**, explicitly including an uncompromised non-stop crossing over the open waters of the Arabian Sea.
- The Global Breeding and Wintering Loop: The species utilizes distinct geographic nodes across seasons: establishing its **primary breeding grounds within Northern China, Mongolia, and Far-East Russia**, before embarking on a massive trans-continental journey to settle within its **wintering grounds in Eastern and Southern Africa**.
- Manipur Stopover Stations: During their autumn migration, millions of these raptors congregate in the community forests of **Tamenglong and Senapati districts in Manipur**, alongside Doyang Reservoir in Nagaland, to roost and fat-load on termites before their open-ocean crossing.
- Statutory Protection Tiers: Due to robust population indicators globally, the species is classified as **'Least Concern (LC)' on the IUCN Red List**. However, within domestic boundaries, it receives strict legal defense, listed under **Schedule I of India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972**, completely prohibiting hunting or capture.
For TNPSC and Ecological Bio-Geography candidates, this avian tracking project represents a vital case study under 'Migratory Avian Corridors, Telemetry Applications in Wildlife Conservation, IUCN Red List Classifications, and Protected Raptors of India'.