Healed Raptors Fly Over 3,000 km Northward; Kinmen National Park Headquarters Records with Satellite Tracking
Key facts
- Healed Raptors Fly Over 3,000 km Northward; Kinmen National Park Headquarters Records with Satellite Tracking
- The Kinmen National Park Headquarters (KMNPH) launched a satellite tracking program this year, recording the northward migration routes of two healed raptors (an Eastern Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl). The buzzard flew approximately 3,400 km to Heilongjiang, while the owl flew about 3,600 km to a breeding area at the Mongolia-China-Russia border, confirming the long-distance migration capability of rehabilitated raptors.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 11, 2026
Direct answer
The Kinmen National Park Headquarters (KMNPH) launched a satellite tracking program this year, recording the northward migration routes of two healed raptors (an Eastern Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl). The buzzard flew approximately 3,400 km to Heilongjiang, while the owl flew about 3,600 km to a breeding area at the Mongolia-China-Russia border, confirming the long-distance migration capability of rehabilitated raptors.
- Citation
- Healed Raptors Fly Over 3,000 km Northward; Kinmen National Park Headquarters Records with Satellite Tracking (June 11, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 11, 2026
The Kinmen National Park Headquarters (KMNPH) launched a satellite tracking program this year, recording the northward migration routes of two healed raptors (an Eastern Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl). The buzzard flew approximately 3,400 km to Heilongjiang, while the owl flew about 3,600 km to a breeding area at the Mongolia-China-Russia border, confirming the long-distance migration capability of rehabilitated raptors.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 13:23
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 13:36 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 11, 2026 at 13:39 (2 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Reporter Wu Wenrong, Kinmen, 11th) The Kinmen National Park Headquarters (KMNPH) used satellite tracking to confirm that healed raptors, including an Eastern Buzzard, flew over 3,000 km northward. The KMNPH stated that this year marks the first launch of a satellite transmitter tracking program, extending medical care to field monitoring and adding a new record to raptor conservation and migration research.
The Kinmen National Park Headquarters, under the National Park Service of the Ministry of the Interior, incorporated satellite tracking of healed raptors into its bird rescue management mechanism this year. It fitted an Eastern Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl with satellite transmitters after medical treatment and released them in early March.
According to a press release from the KMNPH, tracking data shows that both raptors stayed in Kinmen for about a month after release, gradually recovering and adapting to the wild environment. They then began their northward migration in late March and early April, respectively.
The KMNPH indicated that the Eastern Buzzard departed from the sea off Beishan Cliff in Kinmen late on March 29. Its route crossed Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, Henan, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Jilin provinces/regions. The migration pace was steady, with several short rests in suitable forest environments before continuing north. It finally arrived in the Heilongjiang region on April 18, covering a total migration distance of approximately 3,400 km over 21 days.
The KMNPH stated that the Short-eared Owl began its northward return on the evening of April 4. Departing from Jiming Mountain in Jinsha Township, Kinmen, it flew directly to Quanzhou, Fujian Province, then continued through Zhejiang, Beijing, and Shandong, crossing the Bohai Bay to reach Huludao City, Liaoning Province. After a few days' stop, it headed north again, finally arriving at a breeding area on the border of Mongolia, China, and Russia on April 19. The total migration distance was approximately 3,600 km over 15 days.
The KMNPH noted that post-surgery recovery of rescued wildlife previously relied on passive reporting via leg bands, which had an extremely low success rate. The launch of the satellite transmitter tracking program this year has successfully extended medical care to field monitoring.
The KMNPH stated that this tracking confirmed the ability of healed raptors to return to the wild and undertake long-distance migration. It also accumulated important baseline data on raptor wintering, ecological utilization, and migration routes in the Kinmen area. As the two raptors gradually entered areas with weak signals, this northward journey has temporarily concluded. The KMNPH expressed hope to receive signals of their return to Kinmen for wintering during the southward migration season in autumn and winter, continuing to witness their life journey. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150611
The Kinmen National Park Headquarters, under the National Park Service of the Ministry of the Interior, incorporated satellite tracking of healed raptors into its bird rescue management mechanism this year. It fitted an Eastern Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl with satellite transmitters after medical treatment and released them in early March.
According to a press release from the KMNPH, tracking data shows that both raptors stayed in Kinmen for about a month after release, gradually recovering and adapting to the wild environment. They then began their northward migration in late March and early April, respectively.
The KMNPH indicated that the Eastern Buzzard departed from the sea off Beishan Cliff in Kinmen late on March 29. Its route crossed Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, Henan, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Jilin provinces/regions. The migration pace was steady, with several short rests in suitable forest environments before continuing north. It finally arrived in the Heilongjiang region on April 18, covering a total migration distance of approximately 3,400 km over 21 days.
The KMNPH stated that the Short-eared Owl began its northward return on the evening of April 4. Departing from Jiming Mountain in Jinsha Township, Kinmen, it flew directly to Quanzhou, Fujian Province, then continued through Zhejiang, Beijing, and Shandong, crossing the Bohai Bay to reach Huludao City, Liaoning Province. After a few days' stop, it headed north again, finally arriving at a breeding area on the border of Mongolia, China, and Russia on April 19. The total migration distance was approximately 3,600 km over 15 days.
The KMNPH noted that post-surgery recovery of rescued wildlife previously relied on passive reporting via leg bands, which had an extremely low success rate. The launch of the satellite transmitter tracking program this year has successfully extended medical care to field monitoring.
The KMNPH stated that this tracking confirmed the ability of healed raptors to return to the wild and undertake long-distance migration. It also accumulated important baseline data on raptor wintering, ecological utilization, and migration routes in the Kinmen area. As the two raptors gradually entered areas with weak signals, this northward journey has temporarily concluded. The KMNPH expressed hope to receive signals of their return to Kinmen for wintering during the southward migration season in autumn and winter, continuing to witness their life journey. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150611
FAQ
What is the purpose of the KMNPH satellite tracking program?
To confirm the wild re-adaptation and long-distance migration ability of healed raptors and accumulate ecological data for the Kinmen area.
What species of raptors were tracked?
An Eastern Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl.
What was the final destination of the Eastern Buzzard?
The Heilongjiang region in China, covering a total distance of approximately 3,400 km.