Satellite-tagged flamingo journeys to Turkmenistan

Posted: 28 June 2006
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One of the first satellite-tagged Greater Flamingos has now moved to Turkmenistan from Iran , stopping along the way at key wetland sites.

This again highlights the importance of governments and developers to protect key wetland habitats used not only by the flamingos, but by many other water birds along the migratory flyway, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) said.

During its entire migration, the flamingo, named Sindibad by the agency tracking it, covered about 2100 km and used at least 11 stopover sites to feed and rest.

Pr eliminary results from the satellite tracking of flamingos demonstrate that maintaining wetland connectivity both during breeding and non-breeding periods is essential for the conservation and management of Greater Flamingos and other waterbirds which use similar habitats.

Sindibad was the first of four birds that were captured and tagged with satellite transmitters at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve back in November 2005.

EAD says that this data will also help it understand the potential role of migratory birds in the spread of Avian Influenza, as they move from one area to another.

EAD has been able to track Sindibad’s extensive movements first within the UAE, and then as it journeyed over the Arabian Gulf into Iran and Turkmenistan .

The bird began its journey by moving between the wetland habitats of Al Wathba and Al Aryam in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khor in Dubai and Khor Al Beidah in Umm Al Quwain.

Next, the bird flew non-stop half way across the Arabian Gulf. When it reached Central Iran , it stayed at two lakes in Central Iran and finally resumed its migration into Turkmenistan in May 2006.