Every spring, a majestic fleet of White-Tailed Eagles (WTEs) embarks on an epic journey from Greece and South Sudan, traversing Ukraine, en route to their breeding grounds in Belarus. However, the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian War in February 2022 has cast a shadow over this annual pilgrimage, compelling these magnificent birds to detour and endure a more grueling voyage.
The WTE, listed as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN and a first-class protected species in China, is a sight to behold with its dark plumage and broad wings, often appearing as a slow-moving tattered cloth in flight. Yet, this apex predator, with a wingspan of 155 to 180 centimeters, is a formidable hunter, feasting on small birds, mammals, insects, and fish.
The breeding range of the WTE stretches across the Eurasian continent, from the southeastern regions of Russia to the southern parts of Central and Eastern Europe. They rely on open grasslands and wetlands, which are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction. The conflict has further imperiled their survival.
Researchers from the UK and Estonia have been monitoring 22 WTEs equipped with trackers since 2017. The data reveals that, post-conflict, these eagles have been flying an average of 85 kilometers more to avoid the war zone, a significant increase in their already demanding journey.
The war has not only forced the WTEs to take longer routes but has also disrupted their rest and refueling stops, crucial for their survival during migration. Before the conflict, 18 out of 22 tracked eagles stopped at three locations within Ukraine. However, by February 2022, only six individuals made these stops, likely early migrants who passed through before the escalation of the conflict.
The monitoring study, initiated to understand the migration patterns and breeding conditions of the WTE, has taken an unexpected turn with the regional instability. The survival of this vulnerable species hinges on successful breeding, with each pair producing only one offspring annually, and a survival rate of about 60%. The behavioral changes induced by the conflict could have detrimental effects on the species’ survival prospects.
Despite all 22 monitored eagles surviving until the end of the project, concerns remain about the impact on their breeding success. The additional energy expenditure, reduced refueling opportunities, and delayed arrival at breeding grounds could lead to challenges in finding suitable nesting sites and sufficient food for their young.
Jim Reynolds, an Assistant Professor of Ornithology and Animal Conservation at the University of Birmingham, expressed his concerns to the BBC, stating that any disruption to the breeding performance of such a vulnerable species can have significant repercussions.
The WTE population affected by the conflict represents about 15% of the European population. Due to temporal constraints, the research team has not assessed the migration patterns post-2023.
Ukraine, with its rich biodiversity, is home to fertile lakes and wetlands in the north, towering ancient trees in the Carpathian Mountains to the west, and vast grasslands in the southeast. The conflict has primarily impacted the southeastern grasslands. The overall ecological impact of the conflict in Ukraine remains largely unknown due to the time required for research and the practical limitations of field investigations.
Rich natural resources often attract human covetousness. Statistical research indicates that over 80% of major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 occurred in biodiversity hotspots. Additionally, a study published in “Nature” journal highlights the close relationship between the decline of large herbivore populations in African conservation areas and armed conflicts between 1946 and 2010.
War brings explosions, noise, and pollution, threatening the survival of animals, and renders conservation area boundaries ineffective, leading to unauthorized human intrusion. Moreover, with people’s lives at risk and the widespread availability of weapons, animals in these areas are more susceptible to poaching.
Indirectly, war negatively impacts conservation efforts by forcing the termination of protection and research projects and the evacuation of personnel. Increased military spending can also lead to reduced financial support for other areas, affecting broader conservation projects.
However, nature can be resilient. Both studies mentioned that war rarely leads directly to the extinction of animals, as long as timely intervention and reconstruction occur post-conflict. Some animals are adept at hiding, allowing populations to persist at lower levels until the conflict subsides.
A successful ecological restoration case is Gorongosa in Mozambique. After more than a decade of civil war, the Mozambican government partnered with American entrepreneur Gregory Carr in 2004 to undertake ecological restoration. Today, it has become a high-level national park teeming with large herds of African elephants, lions, and antelopes. In 2018, the presence of leopards was reported here for the first time in 14 years.
Compared to top predators like the WTE and leopards, small animals at the base of the food chain are usually more resilient. They not only maintain the survival of their populations but also bring a touch of comfort to the human spirit. During the two World Wars, “British Birds” received continuous correspondence from soldiers describing the birds they observed on the battlefield. They witnessed that even in villages ravaged by bombing, swallows, sparrows, and kingfishers were still tenaciously nesting and raising their young. In 1944, a soldier fighting in Italy wrote in a submission:
“In the lulls of the explosions, I can hear the larks singing, making war seem more absurd than ever.”