IN PHOTOS: When Putin FLEW with Siberian cranes

Russian President Vladimir Putin, known for his bizarre and macho stunts, on Wednesday flew a motorized hand glider to lead a flock of endangered Siberian white cranes as they migrated to Asia.

With inputs from ANI

Please ...

Dressed in a white costume meant to imitate an adult crane, Putin was taking part in a project to teach the endangered birds who were raised in captivity to follow the aircraft on their southern migration to Central Asia.

Please ...

According to Fox News, Putin has been much involved in an array of macho stunts lately, including posing with a tiger cub and riding a horse bare-chested.

Please ...

In another incident, Putin was shown scuba diving and bringing up fragments of ancient Greek amphorae. But his spokesperson later admitted that the artifacts had been planted on the sea floor for the Russian president to grab, the report said.

Please ...

The stunts by Putin have also irritated his opponents, who do not regard them as 'benign political entertainment' but as part of an establishment of a cult of personality lionizing an authoritarian leader, it added.

Please ...

Putin's moment of glory was apparently dimmed, when a biology student at the station claimed online that two chick cranes died and several others were hurt in the hurry to be ready for Putin's arrival, Huffington Post reported.

Please ...

After leading the cranes, Putin said he didn't know what he would do next with animals. "That's for the specialists to decide," he said. "It shouldn't be just for fun, but should have some use," the report added.

Please ...

...