1. K.Postelnykh Reintroduction of the crane chicks with the ultralight aircraft Foto by K.Postelnykh

2. The sterkh’ (Siberian white crane) re-introduction works are being conducted since 1991. The chicks raised in the Oka crane Breeding center of the Oka Biosphere Reserve, were let out in the nesting sites, in the sites where the birds are stopped during their migration and in the wintering areas. Until now there is no any established fact, testifying that the let out birds are alive Being guided by experience of foreign colleagues, we have made the attempts to let out the sterkh’ chicks behind ultralight aircraft.

3. In North America hang-glide’- led American cranes to new habitats: nesting site in Wisconsin, the migration way through 7 States and wintering site in Florida. Foto by K.Postelnykh

4. In 2002 for the first time in Russia have been made an attempt to lead the sterkh’ chicks on migration way with hang-glide. Фото Анжело Д Арриго

5. Migration’ way of «Flight of the hope – 2006» ● Stopover sites Aircraft way – 250 km Waterway – 1000 km Car way – 450 km

6. Members of the Project: The project was carried out under support of the oil and gas Company ITERA, «Sterkh» Foundation, Global Environment Facility. «Sterkh» Foundation Yamalo-Nenetsky Autonomous District: Yermakov A.M. Research Institute of Nature Defence: Sorokin A.G., Shilina A.P., Pustovit N.S., Oka Biosphere Reserve: Markin Y.M., Antonyuk E.V., Bobkova S.A.., Postyelnykh K.A., Borisov V.G., Zatsepin Y.S., Sudakova A.A., Kashentseva Т.А. Pilots: Zabolonkov S., Volghin D., Shkolin A. Association of ultralight aviation of Russia

7. Works in the cranes rare species’ breeding center of the Oka Biosphere Reserve 1.06.06. – 12.07.06. Foto by Т. Каshentsev

8. For reintroduction were being prepared 4 Siberian white crane (Sterkh) chicks and 2 Eurasian crane chicks Foto by Т. Каshentseva

9. Not all the chicks were quickly getting accustomed to the noisy “parent” The daily routine of isolated chick : Feeding – 6 time a day Walks to the bog– 2 times a day Trainings with hang-glider (??дельталётом) 2 times a day Foto by Т. Каshentsev

10. The Sterkh’ chicks of the 1 st month of life were trained one by one due to their specific aggression Foto by Т. Каshentseva

11. In order to avoid collisions of chicks with the hang- glider it was used a low net’ fence And a special propeller guard Foto by Т. Каshentseva

12. Works on Lipovaya Gora cordon of the Oka Reserve 12.07.06-09.08.06 Foto by Т. Каshentseva Foto by K.Postelnykha Foto by K.Postelnykh

13. Chicks were kept in aviaries situated on a water-meadow The daily routine : Trainings – 2 times a day (morning and evening) Walks - 2 times a day Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by N.Pustovit

14. At the age of 60 days the Eurasian crane’ chicks have made their first fly Foto by N.Pustovit

15. As the Sterkh’ chicks haven’t reached the flying age, the trainings for them and for Eurasian crane’ chicks were carried out separately. Foto by N.Pustovit Foto by K.Postelnykh

16. 10.08.06 Leaving for Western Siberia on track: Oka Reserve – Moscow – Salekhard Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by Т. Каshentseva Foto by D.Volghin

17. 11.08.06 The members of the expedition left for the native Sterkh’ nesting locations Foto by K.Postelnykh

18. Kushevat – the age-old Russian settlement. At present it’s abandoned. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin

19. In a first 4 days the trainings were carried out without hang-gliders, because the hang-gliders delayed on the way The chicks were kept in a small movable aviary Foto by D.Volghin Foto by K.Postelnykh

20. The trainings in Kushevat: 15.08.06. - 28.08.06. The chicks have adapted quickly to the local conditions and followed the hang-glider. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin

21. The Sterkh’ chicks were retarded noticeably in their maturity from the Eurasian crane’ chicks so at first they couldn’t fly behind the hang- glider. Foto by D.Volghin Foto by K.Postelnykh

22. In a short time the flights of the whole group took place Foto by D.Volghin

23. Later we have begun to make the chicks accustomed to the hang- glider with floats. Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin

24. 28.08.06. The expedition has left for south (up- stream Ob river) Foto by K.Postelnykh Foto by D.Volghin

25. To the moment of the expedition’ departure from Kushevat the chicks haven’t reached the necessary flying ability, moreover the expedition’ equipment did not give a chance to make a passage on the whole migration’ way. To the next stopover the chicks have been taken in special transporting boxes. The trainings were carried out in the mornings and evenings when the weather was flying. Foto by K.Postelnykh

26. The expedition has come to its end in south of Tyumen Region – in Belozersk Reserve. The chicks have been sent back to Oka reserve for передержки. It’s planned the sending of the birds in Uzbekistan for wintering. Foto by Y.Markin

27. Thank you for your kind attention. We invite you to cooperation. Postelnykh Kirill kirill_cbc@mail.ru +7 910 9056915 kirill_cbc@mail.ru