| Author: DEFRA News Release | Title: UK calls for Urgent Action to Save 'Rare' birds of Prey |
| Date: 2005-11-25 12:03:46 | Uploaded by: thefifer |
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The UK is asking world governments to sign up to an agreement that would protect migratory birds of prey and owls - including vultures, eagles, harriers, kites, kestrals and falcons - throughout Africa, and in the Eurasian region.
Many of these species face major threats, such as shooting, poisoning, illigal trade or loss of habitat through intensive land use, somewhere in their migratory range within Africa/Euasia.
Each spring and autumn, these inter-continental migrants make long and arduous journeys. Due to their size and structure, many species find long flights over water difficult, so they tend to consentrate in flyways with narrow sea crossings, called bottlenecks. At these sites they are particularly vulnerable to persecution or major habitat changes,which may effect whole populations.
Research carried out by Nature Bureau for DEFRA, published in September this year, found that more than half of the 60 species of migratory birds of prey found in Africa and Euasia are threatened, either globally or within the region, with extinction. Defra believes that, if all the countries in which these birds live, migrate through or overwinter were to work together to protect both them and their habitats, the species could be saved.
Jim Knight, UK Biodiversity Minister,Commented:
"Of all types of birds, birds of prey have always fascinated people, because of their grace, speed, agility and strength. They are majestic and rare. Indeed, they are inconic. They live long lives-hence the 'wise old owl'- but they have low breeding rates".
"Being at the top of their food chain, birds of prey are particularly vulnerable to poisoning and pollution, as the toxins in their prey accumulate throughout their lives. Migratory birds of prey are also threatened by climate change, if, for example, the climatic conditions at their usual destinations become inhospitable or their food supply disapears. This makes them sentinels for enviromental change and we should respect and conserve them for tjhis too."
"Birds of prey are already protected in many countries but, for migratory species, international co-operation is the key to conservation. We have already won the support of our European Union partners to put our proposal to all 93 ncountries that are contracting parties to the Convention on Migratory Species. If they agree, the UK will organise an inter-governmental conference to thrash out the details of what exactly is needed and how we will set about achieving it."
"If we can find the key to protecting migratory species throughout their ranges - the areas where they live and breed, those over which they fly, and in which they overwinter - we may be able to unlock a door to securing the future of these truly spectacular birds so that our grandchildren - and their grandchildren - can enjoy them too."
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