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Nature > Fly
Away!
Fly
Away!
Background
Carol
McIntyre, a wildlife biologist at Denali, is using satellite radio
telemetry to study the annual movements of juvenile eagles, including
the migratory pathways, winter range and summer range of Denali's
juvenile golden eagles. The adult eagles that nest in the park spend
more than 40% of the year away from Denali. Juvenile eagles raised
in Denali return to Alaska in the spring but usually do not return
to the park for many years. Denali's managers need to know where
these eagles spend time during the year so that they can protect
these animals.
Golden eagles (Aquila
chrysaetos) are one of the largest birds of prey (raptors) in North
America. They live mainly in mountainous regions in the western
United States and Canada. While they have been studied throughout
the western United States, there are still many aspects of their
ecology that we don't understand.
One of the greatest threats
to this species is the loss of breeding and wintering habitat, particularly
in the western United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico.
Golden eagles that breed and live in Denali National Park and Preserve
often migrate through and winter in areas that are undergoing or
are vulnerable to habitat alteration and degradation. To protect
Denali's golden eagles, managers need to identify and understand
the factors that influence these birds.
In 1988, Denali National
Park and Preserve started a long-term ecological study of golden
eagles to provide Denali's managers and other land managers with
information necessary to protect populations of golden eagles breeding
and living at high latitudes in North America. To accomplish this,
managers needed information on many aspects of golden eagle ecology.
The Denali golden eagle study has multiple components covering many
aspects of golden eagle ecology, including migration and reproductive
success.
Carol McIntyre, a wildlife
biologist with Denali National Park and Preserve, leads the golden
eagle research crew. Carol developed and implemented the golden
eagle studies in Denali in 1988 and has led the project ever since.
Seasonal biological technicians join Carol each summer to help her
with the fieldwork associated with this project. Carol also calls
upon a series of technical advisors to help with various aspects
of this long-term project. The project also relies heavily on experienced
wildlife survey pilots, who pilot the helicopters during aerial
surveys.
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Unit Outline >
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