Five storks in the Odesa region were fitted with GPS tr…

A scientific project called “Stork Track” has been launched in Ukraine, as part of which five birds from the Odesa region have been fitted with special GPS trackers. This will allow ornithologists and experts to track the winter migration routes of black-winged storks in real time and ensure their safe return home.

This was reported by DTEK Odesa Power Grids.

Another five birds were selected from the Dnipropetrovsk region. In total, 10 black-winged stilts will participate in the project this year.

Experts believe the trackers will serve their purpose for at least two years.

The tracker is attached to the bird’s back like a “backpack.” The straps are specially treated so as not to damage the bird’s skin or feathers and allow it to molt. “This equipment is standard practice,” explained Oleksandr Haidash, senior research fellow at the Danube Scientific Reserve of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and a Ph.D. in biology.

The “Stork Track” initiative will help establish a domestic research database on seasonal migrations and bird behavior. In the future, this data will enable Ukrainian scientists to collaborate effectively with foreign colleagues and plan infrastructure development thoughtfully, taking environmental needs into account.

Previously, thousands of birds died in the“Tuzly Estuaries” National Nature Park in the Odesa region due to Russian attacks. Constant explosions and drone flights are also forcing the birds to abandon their nests, which threatens their reproduction.

Юлія Калабайда

Five storks from the Odesa region were fitted with tracking devices to monitor their migration

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