Irang, the satellite radio transmitter tagged Amur Falcon has crossed Myanmar’s Mandalay and reached Tamenglong late in the evening today, said Wildlife Institute of India, scientist Dr Sureshkumar today.
Irang was fitted with a satellite radio transmitter last November to study its migratory route and flight patterns. It left China and crossed Thailand and Laos to reach Mandalay.
If it continues its path, the bird may reach Tamenglong district tomorrow evening, said Dr Sureshkumar, earlier before Irang landed at Tamenglong.
It may be noted that the Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India had fitted small satellite radio transmitters on five Amur Falcons during the first week of November last year at Tamenglong.
While three of the birds, Chiulon, Puching and Phalong were named after villages in Tamenglong district, the other two were named Irang and Barak taking the names of the famous rivers, Irang River and Barak River.
While Irang and Chiulon’s transmitters are still sending strong signals enabling the scientists to study their migratory routes, Puching, Barak and Phalong have stopped sending signals.
Irang and Chiulon, dubbed as Manipur’s Amur ambassadors, left their breeding ground in China in mid September for South Africa to spend the winter. Both the birds had crossed Thailand and Laos to reach Myanmar.
Chiulon is expected to arrive in a day or two, said Dr Sureshkumar.
To reach Manipur Irang covered at least 29,000 kilometres while Chiulon will cover about 33,000 kilometres, he added.
Meanwhile, Tamenglong Divisional Forest Officer Kh Hitler has appealed people to protect the visiting Amur Falcons and all wildlife.
Staff of the Forest Department and villagers of Puching village have also started patrolling the areas near Irang River to discourage and check hunting of birds and wildlife, he said.
In November 2018, a satellite radio transmitter fitted Amur Falcon named ‘Manipur’ was killed at Khebuching area, bordering Tamenglong and Noney district after which a ban on use of airgun was imposed in the two districts.
Intense awareness programmes were carried out at villages in Tamenglong district to save and protect the migratory Amur Falcons.
Courtesy: The Sangai Express
