Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Two Amur falcons named Apapang and Alang touched down in Manipur this Thursday. They arrived 11 days after departing their breeding grounds in north-eastern China. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav confirmed their return on October 23. Scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India tagged the birds in November 2025 to monitor their travels across Asia and Africa.
The pair completed a journey covering 23 countries over nearly a year. Yadav noted the feat on X, stating, "The return marked the completion of their round-trip journey since being tagged." These birds plan to stay in the mountainous Tamenglong district for two or three weeks. Local villagers guard the falcons during this annual stopover. The birds will feast on local termites to pack on fat for the flight ahead.
They have a grueling route to finish. The falcons will soon launch a six-day, non-stop flight spanning nearly 6,000 km to Somalia. This trek includes a treacherous 3,000 km stretch across the Arabian Sea. The annual arrival highlights how local communities play a vital role in protecting the species as it moves between Asia and its African wintering grounds.
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