K.Postelnykh

1. Reintroduction of the crane chicks with the ultralight aircraft K.Postelnykh Foto by K.Postelnykh

2. The sterkh’ (Siberian white crane) re-introduction works are being conducted since 1991. The chicks raised in the Oka crane Breeding center of the Oka Biosphere Reserve, were let out in the nesting sites, in the sites where the birds are stopped during their migration and in the wintering areas. Until now there is no any established fact, testifying that the let out birds are alive Being guided by experience of foreign colleagues, we have made the attempts to let out the sterkh’ chicks behind ultralight aircraft.

3. Foto by K.Postelnykh In North America hang-glide’- led American cranes to new habitats: nesting site in Wisconsin, the migration way through 7 States and wintering site in Florida. Foto by K.Postelnykh

4. In 2002 for the first time in Russia have been made an attempt to lead the sterkh’ chicks on migration way with hang-glide. Фото Анжело Д Арриго

5. Migration’ way of «Flight of the hope – 2006» ●Stopover sitesAircraft way – 250 kmWaterway – 1000 kmCar way – 450 km

6. Members of the Project: «Sterkh» Foundation Yamalo-Nenetsky Autonomous District:Yermakov A.M.Research Institute of Nature Defence:Sorokin A.G., Shilina A.P., Pustovit N.S.,Oka Biosphere Reserve:Markin Y.M., Antonyuk E.V.,Bobkova S.A.., Postyelnykh K.A., Borisov V.G., Zatsepin Y.S., Sudakova A.A., Kashentseva Т.А. Pilots:Zabolonkov S., Volghin D., Shkolin A.Associationof ultralight aviation ofRussia The project was carried out under support of the oil and gas CompanyITERA, «Sterkh» Foundation, Global Environment Facility.

7. Works in the cranes rare species’ breeding center of the Oka Biosphere Reserve 1.06.06. – 12.07.06. Foto by Т. Каshentsev

8. For reintroduction were being prepared4 Siberian white crane (Sterkh) chicks and2 Eurasian crane chicks Foto by Т. Каshentseva Foto by Т. Каshentseva Foto by Т. Каshentseva Foto by Т. Каshentseva

9. The daily routine of isolated chick : • Feeding – 6 time a day • Walks to the bog– 2 times a day • Trainings with hang-glider (??дельталётом) 2 times a day Not all the chicks were quickly getting accustomed to the noisy “parent” Foto by Т. Каshentsev

10. The Sterkh’ chicks of the 1st month of life were trained one by one due to their specific aggression Foto by Т. Каshentseva Foto by Т. Каshentseva

11. In order to avoid collisions of chicks with the hang-glider it was used a low net’ fence And a special propeller guard Foto by Т. Каshentseva

12. Works on Lipovaya Gora cordon of the Oka Reserve 12.07.06-09.08.06 Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by K.Postelnykha Foto by Т. Каshentseva

13. Chicks were kept in aviaries situated on a water-meadow Foto by N.Pustovit Foto by N.Pustovit Foto by K.Postelnykh The daily routine:Trainings – 2 times a day (morning and evening)Walks - 2 times a day Foto by N.Pustovit

14. At the age of 60 days the Eurasian crane’ chicks have made their first fly Foto by N.Pustovit Foto by N.Pustovit

15. As the Sterkh’ chicks haven’t reached the flying age, the trainings for them and for Eurasian crane’ chicks were carried out separately. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by N.Pustovit

16. 10.08.06Leaving for Western Siberia on track: Oka Reserve – Moscow – Salekhard Foto by Т. Каshentseva Foto by D.Volghin Foto by D.Volghin Foto by K.Postelnykh

17. 11.08.06The members of the expedition left for the native Sterkh’ nesting locations Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by K.Postelnykh

18. Kushevat – the age-old Russian settlement. At present it’s abandoned. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin Foto by K.Postelnykh

19. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin The chicks were kept in a small movable aviary Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin In a first 4 days the trainings were carried out without hang-gliders, because the hang-gliders delayed on the way

20. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin The trainings in Kushevat: 15.08.06. - 28.08.06. The chicks have adapted quickly to the local conditions and followed the hang-glider. Foto by K.Postelnykh

21. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin The Sterkh’ chicks were retarded noticeably in their maturity from the Eurasian crane’ chicks so at first they couldn’t fly behind the hang-glider. Foto by K.Postelnykh

22. Foto by D.Volghin In a short time the flights of the whole group took place

23. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin Later we have begun to make the chicks accustomed to the hang-glider with floats. Foto by K.Postelnykh

24. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by K.Postelnykh 28.08.06. The expedition has left for south (up-stream Ob river) Foto by D.Volghin

25. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by K.Postelnykh To the moment of the expedition’ departure from Kushevat the chicks haven’t reached the necessary flying ability, moreover the expedition’ equipment did not give a chance to make a passage on the whole migration’ way.To the next stopover the chicks have been taken in special transporting boxes. The trainings were carried out in the mornings and evenings when the weather was flying.

26. Foto by Y.Markin The expedition has come to its endin south of Tyumen Region – in Belozersk Reserve.The chicks have been sent back to Oka reserve for передержки. It’s plannedthe sending of the birds in Uzbekistan for wintering.

27. Thank you for your kind attention.We invite you to cooperation. PostelnykhKirillkirill_cbc@mail.ru+7 910 9056915