Imperial Eagle
Aquila heliaca
The Institute for Wildlife Studies is working in cooperation with Dr. Todd Katzner of The National Aviary and Dr. Evgeny Bragin of Naurzum National Nature Reserve with research on the demography and movements of the Eastern Imperial Eagle in Kazakhstan. The Naurzum Reserve supports about 25 species of breeding raptors, including four eagle species, and contains the highest known density of Imperial Eagles in the world.
In 2004, IWS began providing satellite GPS transmitters and data management so that researchers could track the movements of fledgling Imperial Eagles. One eaglet was tracked in 2004 and two more were equipped with transmitters in 2006. For the first time we have been able to chart the migration routes of this magnificent eagle. Learning more about their movement patterns will provide insights into wintering areas important to the eagles and provide information on where juvenile eagles reside after leaving their natal nest site.