Book for Young Readers Highlights Life and Dangers for Steppe Eagle, Kazakhstan's Adored Emblem
The majestic steppe eagle, a cherished symbol of Kazakhstan and a key resident of the country's vast steppes, faces significant threats, particularly from small and medium-voltage power transmission lines. An estimated 35,000 steppe eagles die annually in Kazakhstan due to collisions and electrocution under these power lines, according to research by the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK).
To address this critical issue, the ACBK is implementing several initiatives. One such initiative involves the installation of bird protection devices on power lines. Special plastic covers made of dielectric (non-conductive) material are placed on exposed wires, preventing eagles from being electrocuted when perching or flying near the lines.
A successful pilot project was carried out in the Karagandy Region, where a 28-kilometer stretch of low-to-medium voltage power line was protected. Before the project, during spring migration, 48 dead birds (mostly steppe eagles) were found under the poles. One year after installing plastic protection, only 1 dead bird was found in the same area during migration.
Beyond direct mitigation measures, the ACBK also promotes public education and awareness. They published a children's book titled "Steppe Eagle Kiyeh," which spotlights the life and threats facing steppe eagles. Written in both Kazakh and Russian languages, the book will be distributed among schools and libraries across Kazakhstan. The book's author, Darya Sklyarenko, has created a fictional narrative with vivid illustrations and detailed information about the biology of the steppe eagle.
Fires pose another major threat to steppe eagles, as they are the only species that nest on the ground. To provide safer nesting sites, above-ground nesting platforms can be built. The Alty-Sai Ecological Park has installed metal platforms that rise around two meters above the ground for steppe eagle nesting sites. In the first year after installation, six of the platforms were occupied by steppe eagles.
The ACBK's efforts extend beyond the protection of steppe eagles. They have also released a second edition of the science-popular book "Steppe Mammals of Kazakhstan." The steppes of Kazakhstan are a key region for migrating birds and the nesting place for many rare species, including the steppe eagle. By raising awareness and implementing protective measures, the ACBK is working tirelessly to secure the survival of these cherished species in nature.
- The Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK) not only installs bird protection devices on power lines as a means of direct mitigation, but also promotes lifelong learning about the steppe eagle through educational resources such as the children's book "Steppe Eagle Kiyeh."
- To further support the steppe eagle population, the ACBK has implemented initiatives like the construction of above-ground nesting platforms in places like the Alty-Sai Ecological Park, which provide safer nesting sites and encourage environmental-science learning for children and adults alike.
