Saker Falcon projects - International Wildlife Consultants Ltd.

KAZAKHSTAN
General Overview
We have been funding survey and research work in Kazakhstan since 1993. In
recent years we have been providing annual funding for Dr. Anatoliy Levin to
undertake his long-term survey and monitoring work, whilst additional funding has
also been supplied for survey work in Kazakhstan by a Russian team led by Igor
Karyakin (2003-05). Apart from funding the surveys undertaken by Dr. Levin
through the Institute of Zoology and the Kazakhstan Bird Conservation Union we
have also undertaken a pilot study (2010) to assess the potential for using GPS
satellite telemetry to monitor mortality of Sakers in the country (specifically to
identify mortality rates, the location of mortality events and the timing of mortality
events), and we have been engaged in biological sample collection in conjunction
with Dr. Levin’s surveys (feather samples for a population genetic analysis, blood
samples for a transcriptome study and pellets for a diet study).
The surveys conducted by Igor Karyakin and Dr. Levin have been the main
source of data for population estimates and trends in Kazakhstan, in particular for
the IUCN Red List assessment undertaken by BirdLife International. Whilst we have
funded the survey work we have limited access to the survey data and have had
little input into the survey methodology, data analysis or interpretation, which has
been the responsibility of the principal investigators (Igor Karyakin and Dr. Levin).
We are currently in discussion with the principal investigators regarding analysis of
survey data in order to compare survey results of the same geographical areas from
two different time periods.
Whilst population estimates with associated confidence intervals do not exist
for Kazakhstan, the existing survey data clearly demonstrates a decreasing
population trend. Furthermore, the paucity of autecological studies on the species in
different areas of Kazakhstan means that understanding the causal factors in the
declines is largely a matter of guesswork based on anecdotal information. Habitat
change and associated prey loss has been implicated in Saker declines in Kazakhstan
(Watson & Clarke, 2000, British Birds 93; 136-143), but the consensus opinion among
conservationists is that trapping for falconry is the main factor driving Saker Falcon
declines across all regions of Kazakhstan, but evidence to support this assertion is
lacking. Apart from demographic studies undertaken in 1993-95 (Kenward et al.,
2001, J. Field Ornithology 72; 244-257 and Kenward et al., 2007, J. Wildlife Management