<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> A long-living species like A. heliaca has a natal dispersal period lasting several years. This period is crucial for the survival and conservation of the eagles. In this study we present mortality factors and the survival rate of juvenile and immature A. heliaca from Bulgaria as established by satellite telemetry. A total of 20 juvenile A. heliaca were fitted with GPS/Argos transmitters in their nests in Bulgaria. Fourteen birds were tracked till their death and the bodies were found. Tracking allows the survival rate of juvenile and immature A. heliaca to be estimated for the first time. It is 59.1% for the first calendar year, 83.3% for the second calendar year and 80.0% for the third calendar year. The main mortality factor for juvenile and immature A. heliaca from the Bulgarian population is electrocution, which caused 59.0% of the mortality cases. Other threats identified are shooting, poisoning and collisions. Most of the fatalities of these tracked eagles occurred in Bulgaria (50%) and Turkey (43%). Thus, Turkey is a key country for conservation of the Bulgarian population ofA. heliaca during its dispersal period. Eagles from Bulgaria have been recorded dispersing further south, to Sudan and Saudi Arabia. Conservation efforts are needed both inside and outside Bulgaria in order to reduce mortality. International collaboration and the exchange of experiences should be part of any conservation strategy or plans focused on the eastern imperial eagle. </p></abstract>

A long-living species like A. heliaca has a natal dispersal period lasting several years. This period is crucial for the survival and conservation of the eagles. In this study we present mortality factors and the survival rate of juvenile and immature A. heliaca from Bulgaria as established by satellite telemetry. A total of 20 juvenile A. heliaca were fitted with GPS/Argos transmitters in their nests in Bulgaria. Fourteen birds were tracked till their death and the bodies were found. Tracking allows the survival rate of juvenile and immature A. heliaca to be estimated for the first time. It is 59.1% for the first calendar year, 83.3% for the second calendar year and 80.0% for the third calendar year. The main mortality factor for juvenile and immature A. heliaca from the Bulgarian population is electrocution, which caused 59.0% of the mortality cases. Other threats identified are shooting, poisoning and collisions. Most of the fatalities of these tracked eagles occurred in Bulgaria (50%) and Turkey (43%). Thus, Turkey is a key country for conservation of the Bulgarian population ofA. heliaca during its dispersal period. Eagles from Bulgaria have been recorded dispersing further south, to Sudan and Saudi Arabia. Conservation efforts are needed both inside and outside Bulgaria in order to reduce mortality. International collaboration and the exchange of experiences should be part of any conservation strategy or plans focused on the eastern imperial eagle.

Survival rate and mortality of juvenile and immature eastern imperial eagles (Aquila heliaca) from Bulgaria studied by satellite telemetry

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds/BirdLife Bulgaria, P. O. Box 1 30, 6300 Haskovo, Bulgaria

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds/BirdLife Bulgaria, 5Leonardo da Vinchi str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Wangenheimstr 32, 1 41 93 Berlin, Germany

Raptor Journal

A long-living species like A. heliaca has a natal dispersal period lasting several years. This period is crucial for the survival and conservation of the...

Survival rate and mortality of juvenile and immature eastern imperial eagles (Aquila heliaca) from Bulgaria studied by satellite telemetry

Online veröffentlicht: 26. März 2014

Seitenbereich: 53 - 60

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/srj-2014-0008

Schlüsselwörter
dispersal, tracking, birds of prey, electrocution, poisoning, shooting, Turkey, conservation strategy

This content is open access.

Survival rate and mortality of juvenile and immature eastern imperial eagles (Aquila heliaca) from Bulgaria studied by satellite telemetry

Online veröffentlicht: 26. März 2014

Seitenbereich: 53 - 60

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/srj-2014-0008

Schlüsselwörterdispersal, tracking, birds of prey, electrocution, poisoning, shooting, Turkey, conservation strategy

This content is open access.

Schlüsselwörter
dispersal, tracking, birds of prey, electrocution, poisoning, shooting, Turkey, conservation strategy