Illegal killing, trapping a major threat to birds, conference told

ABU DHABI - Over 20 million birds are estimated to be illegally killed or trapped each year in countries surrounding the Mediterranean, Iraq, Iran and in the Arabian peninsula, according to data presented today at the ‘Summit for the Flyways’ conference on bird migration and conservation. The conference is organised by international conservation organisation BirdLife International and hosted by the Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation, IFHC.

The 20 most important locations in this broad region for illegal killing and trapping are found in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Cyprus, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Iran, preliminary data suggests.

However, as many as 10 million birds may be illegally killed or trapped in member states of the European Union. In the Arabian peninsula, Iraq and Iran, preliminary estimates, presented by Rob Sheldon, Chairman of the Ornithological Society for the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia, OSME, suggest that between 1.7 million and 4.6 million birds may be killed or trapped illegally.

Of the nine countries involved, the United Arab Emirates is believed to have by far the lowest figure, the estimates show, something ascribed by one participant to the effective implementation of legislation as well as the lack of a widespread tradition of shooting wild birds.

Overall, nearly eighty per cent of all bird species found in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa are believed to be affected by illegal hunting and trapping. 

A review of the problem being undertaken by BirdLife International and its global partners indicates that it can have different aspects in different regions.

In parts of the Middle East, such as Lebanon, illegal shooting is rife, while in South East Asia, the trapping of songbirds for the pet trade is a serious issue.

In the Mediterranean, there is trapping, both for the pet trade and for food, while in much of Europe, there are problems caused by the poisoning of birds of prey.

Speakers noted that there were a wide range of issues to be confronted, including the nature of legislation, the degree of effective enforcement, cultural traditions and the economic value of the trade.

In the Balkan states, for example, the trade in captured songbirds is believed to be worth at least ten million Euros a year, while in the western Maghreb, like Morocco, the value of a captured goldfinch, a popular cagebird, can be nearly one third of the average monthly income. In France, up to 30,000 ortolan buntings are trapped each year and then fattened for food.

These can sell for as much as 150 Euros each. As a result of illegal killing and trapping, a number of species, including seven species of vultures and 17 species of Asian songbirds have now been upgraded to the status of being Critically Endangered on the Red Data list of the International Union for the Conservation of nature, IUCN, participants heard.

The Summit for the Flyways, being held on Yas Island, is being organised in association with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Swiss-based Mava Foundation, and the UN Environment Programme’s Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

It ends tomorrow.

© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2018.