Golden Eagle in Sweden
The Swedish Golden Eagle project (Kungsörnsprojektet) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is aimed at improving the ecological knowledge on Golden eagles for their effective conservation. The project was initiated in 2010. Since then a number of studies aimed at Habitat selection, Population Ecology, Genetics, Movement, Ecotoxicology of Golden eagles are being carried out which continue to generate valuable information that serve as baseline for their conservation in Sweden.
From 2010-2015, the project was supported by:
Vindval programme of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: Naturvårdsverket
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences: SLU.
Country Boards of Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Jamtland.
Statkraft and Vattenfall AB.
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Focus Areas
Movement ecology with GPS Transmitters
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Up till now the project has deployed three different kinds of transmitters and the aim to is continue to reduce the transmitter weights and develop less stressful methods for studying eagle ecology and behaviour. The latest captures have been conducted by a highly experienced team of Mike Lanzone and Dr. Tricia Miller (also see her research page) of the Cellular Tracking Technologies Inc. who have successfully marked more than 1000 golden eagles across the globe. The latest transmitters are half the size of the older transmitters,any external antennas has been removed and the harness material is also improved.. SLU continues to invest in training personnel in the best method of handling and capture of birds as well as ensuring a work ethic of highest quality.
1. Vectronic Aerospace GmbH. (Germany). 2010 onwards - 135gm - (Discontinued). 2. Microwave Telemetry Inc. (USA). 2011 onwards- 70gm - (Discontinued). 3. Cellular Tracking Technologies LLC. (USA). 2014 onwards - 65gm |
The Latest Cellular Tracking Tech. GPS solar transmitter equipped in 2014.
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All biotelemetry sensor data (GPS, acceleration, temperature) is processed, stored and managed by the WRAM-eInfrastructure hosted at the Umeå Center for Wireless Remote Animal Monitoring (UC-WRAM) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
UC-WRAM is headed by Dr. Holger Dettki. mailto: holger.dettki@slu.se
UC-WRAM is headed by Dr. Holger Dettki. mailto: holger.dettki@slu.se
Monitoring - Annual golden eagle Census
We also participate in the annual golden eagle census programme (every winter/spring) conducted by the Golden Eagle Society of Västerbotten county. The project also collaborates with the group to work on the population ecology studies.
Genetic Monitoring
High throughput sequencing of eagles from the nordic countries is in progress with the goal of building a SNP-chip for rapid genotyping
Camera trap monitoring of nests
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The camera trap monitoring is aimed to provide reliable estimates of breeding and survival parameters of Golden eagles in Sweden, which are essentially missing for the population but are crucial for any population estimation and management.
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