Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a new study published in the journal Current Biology sheds light on an unexpected casualty of war: the greater spotted eagles. Already categorized as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, these majestic birds face yet another peril as they navigate through Ukraine during their annual migration.

Led by conservation scientist and ornithologist Charlie Russell, a team of researchers from the UK and Estonia conducted a comprehensive study tracking the migratory behavior of greater spotted eagles. Their findings reveal a significant impact of the conflict on the birds’ flight patterns and stopover behaviors.

The study, which spanned the critical period of March to April 2022, analyzed data from GPS tracking devices attached to 21 eagles as they traversed through Ukraine en route to their breeding grounds in southern Belarus. What emerged from the analysis was a stark deviation from their usual flight paths compared to pre-conflict migrations.

Russell expressed their initial concerns, stating, “When the conflict started in February 2022, we were kind of watching things unfold on the news like everyone else, but sitting there also with the feeling that we know our birds are about to pass through that area and wondering what that might mean for them.”

Using conflict data and GPS tracking, the researchers quantified the impact of the conflict on the migratory behavior of 19 eagles. They observed that the birds flew further and less directly to their breeding grounds, spending more time and energy on their journey. This diversion was particularly pronounced in areas where migration routes coincided with heightened military activity.

Furthermore, the study revealed a concerning trend regarding stopover sites. These crucial locations, where eagles rest, refuel, and seek shelter during their long journeys, saw a dramatic decrease in usage during the conflict year. While previous migrations saw eagles making essential stopovers in Ukrainian Polesia, only a fraction did so in 2022.

Russell highlighted the potential consequences of these changes, stating, “The combination of having to fly farther and expend more energy, along with the reduced ability to recover, may have sublethal fitness costs.” These costs could manifest in reduced breeding success, impacting chick provisioning and fledgling rates, which are already under pressure in the population.

The study’s significance extends beyond the plight of greater spotted eagles. Professor Nathalie Pettorelli, an applied ecologist not involved in the study, emphasized the broader implications, stating, “Understanding what affects the eagles’ survival is key to ensuring they have a future.” She underscored the urgent need for research on the impacts of conflicts on biodiversity and the development of effective mitigation policies.

The war in Ukraine has not only ravaged human lives and infrastructure but also highlighted the environmental toll of conflict. Ukraine’s accusation of “ecocide” following the collapse of the Kakhovka dam underscores the far-reaching consequences, including the destruction of farmland and nature reserves.

Russell emphasized the broader significance of the study, stating, “The war in Ukraine is really raising the profile of some of the environmental issues caused by conflict.” He emphasized that similar environmental impacts might be occurring in other conflict zones globally.

As the world grapples with the ramifications of conflict, studies like these underscore the interconnectedness of human actions and environmental consequences. The fate of the greater spotted eagles serves as a poignant reminder of the collateral damage inflicted on wildlife amid geopolitical unrest. Moving forward, efforts to mitigate these impacts are essential to safeguarding not only individual species but also the delicate ecosystems they inhabit.