The Skies Over Tamenglong
The air in Chiuluan village was crisp on that November morning. For weeks, the skies over the Tamenglong district of Manipur had been alive with a swirling, synchronized dance of hundreds of thousands of Amur falcons. Having traveled from Mongolia and Northern China, the raptors had paused in Northeast India to feast, rest, and gather strength for the most perilous leg of their journey. Among the conservationists and villagers gathered on the hillside was a sense of quiet anticipation. Now, three of these incredible long-distance voyagers were to be fitted with lightweight satellite transmitters—tiny backpacks that would beam their location data to scientists across the globe, uncovering the secrets of their trans-hemispheric route. The birds were gently tagged, named, and released back into the autumn wind: Apapang A robust male falcon with sharp, clear eyes. Ahu Afierce and elegant female. Alang A young, spirited female embarking on her journey with th...