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University research programme to uncover the genetic secrets of Asian bird of prey

May 23, 2005

A team of academics and research students from The University of Nottingham will travel to the forests of Cambodia to trap Asian fishing eagles (Ichthyophaga) and take measurements and blood samples, before releasing them back into their natural habitat.

The detailed genetic information will give an insight into the ecology of the birds and will help to settle a long-running debate on whether the fishing eagles are separated into two species -the grey headed and the lesser Asian fishing eagles - or whether they are in fact the same bird.

Dr Michele Clarke, in the University's School of Geography, who is leading the project, said: "The Asian fishing eagle is a very secretive bird that lives in relative isolation in forest locations. As such, it is a very difficult bird to study and we are faced with the situation where virtually nothing is known about them, which in today's climate of extensive research is incredible. We don't even know how many eggs they lay or even how many of the birds there are living in the wild.

"This research is about exploring their basic biology and ecology. The results will be very important because as a 'top of the food chain' animal they will have a huge role to play in their environment. By studying this bird and finding out how healthy they are and whether they are thriving, we can see how healthy the eco-system is and even gauge the impact of habitat destruction."

Asian fishing eagles, which have a wingspan of three to six feet, are a close relative of the osprey and are found in India and Nepal in the west down the Thai Malay peninsula to Indonesia and Indo-China in the East. Although so little is known about them, they are thought to be declining and as such are classified as near threatened. Changes in the way fisheries operate in the region are impacting on the eagles' food source and there are concerns that organic pesticides used by farmers are getting into the birds systems, thinning the shells of their eggs, preventing them from hatching.

The University of Nottingham is collaborating with various Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in India, Nepal and Cambodia to set up the research programme. The aim is to attract students from the region to come to Nottingham where they will be trained in academic and practical skills, before returning to the area to run the research programme, monitor the birds and collect ecological data.

Dr Clarke will travel to Cambodia in November this year to launch the programme and will return with blood samples from the birds that will allow her to study their genetic makeup. Previously, scientists have only been able to study the biology of the birds from dead specimens brought back by imperialist hunters. Dr Clarke will be able to compare the genetic information of the grey headed and lesser fishing eagles to look at whether they are as identical as they appear or are indeed two species of bird.

Support for the programme has come from the International Osprey Foundation, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Natural Research and the National Birds of Prey Trust.

Nottingham, University of

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University research programme to uncover the genetic secrets of Asian bird of prey

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