Programme Coordinator – Lubov Kurilovich, Moscow Zoo, Russia
The goal of the programme:
The programme is aimed at creating prerequisites for the long-term survival of the species that is threatened by the global transformation of its natural habitats (caused by the plans of industrial development) through the management of the stable breeding population of the Steller’s sea eagle at zoos and breeding centres for the use of the birds from the captive population for the supplementation of the wild populations of the Steller’s Sea Eagle.
The Steller’s Sea Eagle is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation (2001), CITES (Appendix II), Convention on Migratory Species (CMS, Appendix 1) and Appendices of the bilateral agreements within the framework of the CMS between Russia and the USA, Japan, South Korea and North Korea.
Programme objectives:
1. Breeding of the Steller's sea eagles for potential reintroduction of birds into the wild, with preliminary development of a set of issues regarding maintenance and reproduction of birds in artificial environment:
- development of standard requirements for housing conditions (enclosures, cages, facilities for raising nestlings, pre-release facilities) for the Steller’s sea eagles maintenance and breeding;
- providing recommendations on the design and construction of facilities for Steller’s sea eagles;
- elaboration of principles and methods of establishing groups of birds in enclosures;
- predicting critical stages in biological cycles (molting, preparation for reproduction, raising offspring, transportation, stress, etc.) and developing measures for preventing negative effects;
- developing intensive breeding methods (artificial incubation of eggs, hand-raising of chicks, including shaping diverse natural behaviours, increasing egg production, etc.);
- optimization of veterinary care of Steller’s sea eagles;
- development of zoo diets for Steller’s sea eagles, depending on the stage of biological cycle;
- elaboration of requirements for the transportation of Steller’s sea eagles.
3. Management of EARAZA Studbook for the Steller’s sea eagle.
4. Coordination of activities associated with captive breeding and transfers of the birds between EARAZA institutions.Development of the reintroduction project, if necessary:
- developing approaches to the selection of birds suitable for breeding and release into the wild;
- identification of favourable reintroduction sites;
- testing post-release monitoring methods.
5. General biological research.
