The Great Bustard (Otis tarda), one of the heaviest birds capable of flight, was once found across the steppes of Eurasia from Manchuria to Portugal. It is now listed as globally vulnerable by IUCN and is endangered in Central Asia. This project expands scientific knowledge of poorly understood Central Asian populations with an emphasis on gathering information with immediate, concrete conservation implications. Satellite telemetry is used for longitudinal observations and to ascertain critical habitat. Data concerning the dates of nesting will be used in recommendations on the use of agricultural machinery in farmed lands, a cause of pre- and post-hatching mortality for this ground-nesting species. We investigate causes of this species’ decline through interviews with local people. Genetic analyses will describe population structure and identify threatened subpopulations. Our preliminary results are already being used by NGOs in Central Asia for steppe conservation projects, considering the Great Bustard as a flagship or indicator species.

Local people are engaged in the research process and environmental education programs are part of this work. We host workshops about the Great Bustard in provincial schools, train rural Mongolian children in wildlife research techniques and bird identification, and have developed curricula on bird ecology and conservation for Mongolian public schools.