Migrating eagles run up huge ‘mobile’ charges for researchers
The Steppe Eagle inhabits the arid zones of Northern Eurasia and is the characteristic large raptor species of the steppe and semi-desert landscapes. (Photo: I Karjakin/rrrcn.ru)
One steppe eagle unexpectedly 'roamed' straight to Iran, from where it sent huge backlog of messages, leading to huge phone bills for the researchers
Morung Express News
A group of migrating eagles were extremely ‘mobile’ but apparently the ‘roaming’ rendezvous has proved costly for their researchers.
A team of Russian researchers tracking migrating eagles ran out of money after some of the birds flew to Iran and Pakistan and their SMS transmitters drew huge data roaming charges, the BBC reported.
As a remedy, the team had started crowdfunding on social media to pay off the bills, it said.
The researchers are volunteers at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Novosibirsk, who are currently tracking 13 eagles. The birds breed in Siberia and Kazakhstan, but fly to South Asia for the winter.
Their crowdfunding appeal called “Top up the eagle's mobile” has paid off more than 100,000 roubles (£1,223), the report added.
After learning of the team's dilemma, Russian mobile phone operator Megafon reportedly offered to cancel the debt and put the project on a special, cheaper tariff.
According to the report, the journey of one steppe eagle, called Min, was particularly expensive, as it flew to Iran from Kazakhstan. Initially, the birds had left from southern Russia and Kazakhstan.
While Min sent accumulated SMS messages to send during the summer in Kazakhstan, it went out of coverage area for local network.
However, after unexpectedly flying straight to Iran, where it sent the huge backlog of messages, leading to huge phone bills for the researchers.
The price per SMS in Kazakhstan was about 15 roubles (18p; 30 US cents), but each SMS from Iran cost 49 roubles. Min used up the entire tracking budget meant for all the eagles, the BBC report informed.
The SMS messages deliver the birds' coordinates as they migrate, and the team then use satellite photos to see if the birds have reached safe locations. Power lines are a particular threat for the steppe eagles, which are endangered in Russia and Central Asia.
Megafon's reported offer to bail out the team means they can continue monitoring the eagles' routes, collecting vital data to help their survival, the report added, quoting RIA Novosti news.
