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ParkWise
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Nature > To
Hatch or Not to Hatch
To
Hatch or Not to Hatch?
Background
Carol
McIntyre, a wildlife biologist at Denali, visits golden eagles nests
during the summer months. She finds out which eagle pairs are laying
eggs, how many eggs hatch, and how many eaglets grow old enough
to fly and migrate south for the winter. She also monitors prey
species in the park. Students will use this real data to learn about
reproduction and habitat of Denali's golden eagles.
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.
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 designed the
golden eagle studies in Denali in 1988 and has led the project since
it's beginning. 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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