Scientists will study the territory of the possible habitat of Siberian Cranes in the Kunovatsky reserve in Yamal

The first expedition will start on June 3, the trip will be attended by specialists from the Scientific Center for the Study of the Arctic. In the Kunovatsky reserve, scientists examine the possible habitat and nesting of rare birds - the Ob Siberian Crane and the Common Crane. This is reported by the government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug on its website.

“A spring count of the Siberian Crane will be carried out. Another object of observation will be common cranes, which can nest in the neighborhood and make joint autumn migrations with Siberian Cranes to wintering grounds. The information will help to develop a program for the formation of an alternative and safest wintering,” the message says.

According to the scientific center for the study of the Arctic, the habitat of the Ob population of the endangered Siberian Crane covers nine states. Its migration routes are the longest among cranes, so coordinated interregional and international efforts are needed to address issues of species protection.

“In late June - early July, scientists plan to release the Siberian Crane chicks grown in the nursery of the Oksky State Reserve into the wild. In summer and during autumn migration, specialists will continue to monitor released birds, including using satellite transmitters that will install chicks on their shins,” the YNAO government said.

To preserve the Ob population of the Siberian Crane, information on the current state of the habitat within its range is necessary. Therefore, during the expeditions, employees will study the components of the natural environment in order to assess the ecological well-being of the bird's habitats.

The project to restore the population of the West Siberian Siberian Crane in Yamal was resumed in 2019. For four seasons in the Kunovatsky reserve, which is also called the “nursery” of white cranes, 17 young Siberian Cranes were put on the wing and released into the wild. Four of them last year. Birds from the Red Data Book were delivered to Yamal by plane from the Oksky State Biosphere Reserve of the Ryazan Region.

“In summer, white cranes Kuma, Kain, Laryak and Logish adapted to the Shuryshkar land. Each bird has not only a name, but also passport data in the form of numbers and letters, which are recorded in the stud book. The pedigree of each individual is also entered there in order to create pairs between the Siberian Cranes, which are not close relatives,” the report says.