The key facts

  • Young steppe eagle Tungish from Altyn-Emel National Park flew about 1,400 km across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
  • The bird is currently in the Kashkadarya region, not far from Karshi
  • Monitoring will continue until the wintering site; tracker data help identify areas dangerous to birds

From a nest in Altyn-Emel to Karshi

Tungish, a steppe eagle only a few months old, has made its first independent journey to warmer climes and reached the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan. This is reported by Tengrinews. According to specialists of the Altyn-Emel National Park, the bird flew about 1,400 km along the route Altyn-Emel → Konaev → Almaty → Bishkek → Taraz → Shymkent → Samarkand and is now not far from Karshi. In summer the eagle was a 'fluffy white chick in the nest', and on 20 July park staff, together with specialists from the Institute of Zoology, fitted it with a solar-powered GPS tracker.

Why the bird is being monitored

The steppe eagle is listed in the Red Book. GPS tracker data allow specialists to identify areas that may pose a danger to birds and to take timely protective measures. Tungish's movements will be tracked until it reaches its wintering grounds. According to the national park, despite its young age, the chick has already crossed three countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

A similar case with a vulture from India

This is not the first such route reported by sources. In 2025, an injured vulture (tasqara) was found in India; after treatment it was released with a GPS tracker. The bird crossed Pakistan and Afghanistan and reached Uzbekistan on 4 May 2026, covering about 3,000 km.

Photo: Altyn-Emel National Park