Yakutia

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Yakutia
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Siberian Crane on the species breeding grounds
in northern Yakutia
The Yakutia Republic in northeastern Russia is a
critical breeding and migration area for Siberian
Cranes along the East Asia flyway.
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The Siberian Crane breeding areas in the north,
including the Kytalyk Resource Reserve, are
located in the tundra, vast treeless areas
crossed by rivers and covered by many small
lakes. The Chabda Resource Reserve and
neighboring nature reserves in southern Yakutia
used by migrating Siberian Cranes are located in
the taiga, open plains with forests of larch,
pine and fir. Both regions are covered by
permafrost, or permanently frozen ground that may
be a few inches or several feet below the
surface.
Tundra
Taiga
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Yakutia is home to several indigenous peoples,
including the Yakut and Even, who have lived in
this region for many generations and still
practice a traditional way of life (such as
reindeer herding). Along with Russian, Yakut is
an official language of the Republic.
Logo for Siberian Crane education activities in
Moma Ulus, Yakutia. The child dancing with the
crane is wearing traditional Even clothing.
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• Conservation Threats
• Migration stop over areas in southern Yakutia
  are threatened by mining and oil extraction,
  which can destroy wetland habitats and effect
  water quality.
• Migrating Siberian Cranes are also at risk of
  accidentally eating lead shot, which is still
  used for waterfowl hunting in many areas.
• The death of these two cranes (right) in central
  Yakutia was linked to lead poisoning. The birds
  had high levels of lead in their bodies and many
  shots were found in their stomachs.

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Conservation Threats

• Climate change and warming temperatures in the
  Artic threaten to melt permafrost near Siberian
  Crane breeding areas, raising water levels along
  the edges of small lakes and wetlands where the
  cranes nest and feed. Rising water levels will
  reduce the number of suitable nesting areas and
  make it more difficult for the cranes to find
  food.

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Conservation SolutionsReducing use of lead
shotIn the last few years, a shot producer in
the Irkutsk Region in southeastern Russia has
started to manufacture shot that is only 30
lead. Before this change, the Yakutian
government communicated with the company and
explained why lead shot is not good for the
environment.
Migrating Siberian Cranes in the Chabda Resource
Reserve
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Conservation Solutions
Researchers are studying breeding Siberian Cranes
in Yakutia to learn more about the cranes
nesting areas and the number of cranes that
summer in Yakutia. Researchers are also banding
Siberian Crane chicks in Yakutia so that we can
follow the banded birds during their long
migrations to southern China. We hope to learn
more about their migration routes and where the
birds spend the winter and first summer away from
their parents.
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Conservation SolutionsCommunity
EducationStudents in Yakutia are learning about
the East Asia flyway and Siberian Cranes through
annual Crane Celebrations (below), a Russian
language website (right) and participation in an
art exchange with students in China and the
United States.
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Review

• Describe the difference between the tundra and
  taiga.
• List two main threats to the wetlands and
  Siberian Cranes in Yakutia.
• List two solutions for these threats.
• Bonus question
• Migratory birds like the Siberian Crane connect
  landscapes and people that are far from each
  other. The Siberian Crane breeds in far northern
  Russia and migrates 3,000 miles south to southern
  China for the winter. How does this effect our
  conservation efforts for this species? (hint do
  the cranes only need safe places to summer in
  Yakutia to survive?)