Sav i n g t h e wo r ld ’ s m os t t h r e at e n e d b i r ds The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme
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An overview of the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme Over 1,300 bird species are threatened with extinction, and a total of 197 Critically Endangered bird species are on the brink of extinction and face a suite of human-driven threats. However, the actions needed to help them recover are well understood. The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme was launched in 2008 in response to this crisis. In its first five years, the programme has already begun to turn the tide, taking action for 40% of all threatened species.
What is the problem? A total of 1,313 bird species are threatened with extinction according to BirdLife International’s assessment for the 2012 IUCN Red List. Of these, 197 are considered Critically Endangered and are on the brink of extinction. These species have tiny populations and distributions and/or are rapidly declining owing to unsustainable agriculture, invasive alien species, logging, hunting and other threats. Five species have deteriorated in status so severely since 2008 that they now qualify as Critically Endangered, and improved knowledge and revised taxonomy have added another 28 species to the Critically Endangered list in the last five years.
What are the solutions? The actions needed to help save most threatened species are well understood, although many species also require research to enhance recovery efforts. The most urgent actions are to protect and effectively manage Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, control or eradicate invasive alien species, restore habitat, control hunting , raise awareness, and, in some cases, establish captive breeding and reintroduction programmes.
Top: Leonardo F. Freitas; Flickr Bottom: Caroline Thomas; RSPB-images.com P1 Top: M Koshkin; Bottom: Vivian Fu
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There is good evidence that such actions can bring species back from the brink of extinction, with a suite of species that were once reduced to tiny populations now well on the road to recovery.
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What has BirdLife done? The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme was launched in 2008 in response to this crisis. Nearly all 121 BirdLife Partners have taken action to improve the fortunes of threatened bird species in their country. 46 Species Guardians have been appointed to take action for 59 Critically Endangered and 11 Endangered species. These individuals or organisations are leading or coordinating efforts to save particular highly threatened species. At least 537 threatened species (40%), including 67% of Critically Endangered species with known populations, have been the focus of conservation action by the BirdLife Partnership. Actions have focused on protecting and improving management of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and wider habitats (72% of species), strengthening protection of species (35%), and preventing or controlling hunting (17%), supported by education and awareness-raising (60%). Most species have also received targeted research to enhance direct interventions (62%), and monitoring to better understand their status and trends (65%).
What has BirdLife achieved? Of 115 Critically Endangered species with known populations for which BirdLife has taken action since 2008, 80% are judged to have benefited. Of these, 20% are judged to have improved in status and 63% are likely to be declining less rapidly. For example. For example, habitat restoration has led to an increase in the population size of Azores Bullfinch. For a sample of 55 species, public awareness has increased for 93%, conservation capacity enhanced for 89% and threats reduced or stabilised for 80%. For example, veterinary use of the drug diclofenac has been banned in India, Nepal and Pakistan, benefiting several vulture species for which it has caused catastrophic declines, while Tahiti Monarch has benefited from control of invasive alien rats. The extent and condition of suitable habitat increased for 39% of species, e.g. encroaching scrub has been cleared from grasslands supporting Liben Lark in Ethiopia. Protected areas were established or strengthened for 35% of species, e.g. lobbying by Species Guardians helped lead to the designation of a State Park in Brazil protecting Restinga Antwren, and to protection of the last area of state-owned land for Grenada Dove.
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Some birds are on the brink of extinction One in eight of the world’s birds (13%) is threatened with extinction, while 197 species are considered Critically Endangered. These species face an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future. Most are restricted to a single country, but a few are widespread. Some countries hold particularly large numbers.
Least Concern 7,677 (77%)
Which species are closest to extinction? BirdLife International classifies 1,313 species as ‘threatened’ with extinction (i.e. in the categories of Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List), representing 13% of living bird species worldwide. Of these, 197 are considered Critically Endangered and are therefore at extremely high risk of extinction in the wild because they have an extremely small and fragmented or declining population or range (66%), are declining extremely rapidly (20%), or have a stable or increasing but tiny population (34%; some species qualify for multiple reasons).
Near Threatened 880 (9%) Threatened 1,313 (13%)
Data Deficient 60 (1%) Vulnerable 727 (55%)
Where are they found? A total of 136 countries and territories support at least one Critically Endangered species. Brazil has the largest number, with 22. Nearly half (42%) of Critically Endangered bird species are each restricted to a single country, while some broader-ranging and migrant species occur in several, meaning that many countries share responsibility for conserving these highly threatened species.
Critically Endangered 197 (15%)
Endangered 389 (30%)
Number of Critically Endangered species per country Only 25 breeding pairs of Reunion Cuckooshrikes survive, owing to predation by invasive alien rats and cats. (F. Theron; SEOR)
Russian Federation 7
United States
19
Mexico 9
6
4
Colombia 13 Ecuador 8 French Polynesia
Nepal China 9 7 8 Myanmar 5 Pakistan Bangladesh 8 Laos 5 Vietnam Philippines 9 10 India 15 5 15 Thailand 7 Northern Cambodia 7 Mariana Malaysia 7 Islands
22
Peru 8 Chile 5
Indonesia
Brazil
6
6
Argentina
New Zealand
Number of Critically Endangered species
2
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19
1
2
3-4
5-10
11-15
16-22
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n
Data ficient 0 (1%)
Most threatened species are declining, while some await discovery The remaining populations of many Critically Endangered species are tiny. Threequarters are declining, while a small proportion have stable or increasing trends owing to conservation efforts. A suite of species have not been recorded for many years and searches are needed to confirm they still survive. With just 27 mature individuals, Black Stilt is one of the rarest birds in the world. (Dave Murray; worldsrarestbirds.com)
Which are the rarest birds in the world? Some Critically Endangered species now have tiny populations and are on the very brink of extinction. Others are so rare that precise population estimates are unavailable, but probably number fewer than 50 mature individuals, e.g. Chinese Crested Tern (China), Sâo Tomé Fiscal (Sâo Tomé e Príncipe) and Cozumel Thrasher (Mexico).
Fifteen Critically Endangered species with the smallest population estimates Trend since 2008 Oahu Alauahio
USA
?
No. mature individuals
1-7 200
1
Black Stilt
New Zealand
27
Sulu Hornbill
Philippines
27
Fatuhiva Monarch
French Polynesia
California Condor
USA, Mexico
Puerto Rican Amazon
Puerto Rico
33-47
Madagascar Pochard Madagascar
20-49
Chinese Crested Tern
China
30-49
Réunion Cuckooshrike Cebu Flowerpecker
Réunion
50
Mangrove Finch
Ecuador
Cerulean
Indonesia
Polynesian Ground-dove
French Polynesia
Cherry-throated Tanager
Brazil
30-200
Niceforo’s Wren
Colombia
30-200
Philippines
33 44
60-70 40-80 13-90
How many species are declining? Most Critically Endangered species (74%) have declining populations, while some have stable or increasing trends owing to conservation efforts. For a fifth of species (44) there is currently no known population (often because there have been no recent searches), and 15 of these may already be Extinct or Extinct in the Wild, but this has not yet been confirmed and further searches are required. For a full audit of Critically Endangered species, see www.birdlife.org/datazone/info/CRtable.
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70-130
Population trends for Critically Endangered species Unknown 29 (14.7%) Increasing 11 (5.6%) Stable 11 (5.6%) Decreasing 146 (74.1%)
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Human pressures on threatened species are escalating Critically Endangered species are impacted by a range of threats, in particular through unsustainable agriculture, deliberate or accidental spreading of invasive alien species, logging, hunting and trapping.
Which are the worst threats? A broad suite of threats impact Critically Endangered species, but unsustainable agriculture threatens more species than any other factor. More species have been ‘uplisted’ to Critically Endangered (33) in the last five years than have been ‘downlisted’ to lower categories of threat (21). This largely reflects improved knowledge, taxonomic revisions and genuine status changes that occurred before 2008. However, five species have deteriorated in status since 2008 sufficiently to qualify now as Critically Endangered (including Regent Honeyeater and Zapata Rail), while none have yet improved sufficiently since 2008 to qualify for a lower category of extinction risk.
Crops
Other impacts
38 3 War 1
Agriculture Wood & pulp plantations
123 (62%)
11
Bird
Invasive species
3
108 (55%)
35
4 16
Plant
Light pollution 1
4
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25 Mining & quarrying 10
15 6
Commercial & industrial areas Housing & urban areas
Agricultural & forestry effluents
Oil spills & industrial effluents
Tourism & recreation areas 14
25
22 (11%)
Roads
Renewal 2 energy
39 (20%)
5 (3%) Gathering terrestrial plants
2 Domestic & urban waste water
High/medium
12
Residential & commercial development
Pollution
Impact
12 (6%)
Utility & 1 service lines
Energy production & mining
Reptile
10
Air-borne pollutants 1
Fire & fire suppression
26 (13%)
Threats to197 Critically Endangered Species
9
Storms & flooding
19
& railroads Transport & service corridors
Insect
Dams & water management
72
Climate change & severe weather
20 (10%)
Fish
4 Other
8
3
Recreational activities
20
29
Fisheries
7
3
Droughts
86 (44%)
Work
Human disturbance
Micro-organism/diseases 23
(Conservation India)
18
26 (13%)
77
Problematic species/ diseases
Temperature extremes
Aquaculture
115
Mammal
Unsustainable hunting is one of the five major threats to the world’s birds.
Habitat shifting & alteration
Livestock farming
Logging 74 (38%)
Hunting & trapping 64 (32%)
Low/unknown
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We know which solutions are needed Priority conservation actions have been identified for all threatened species. These include site protection and management, control of invasive species, habitat restoration, awarenessraising and, for some species, reintroduction. Governments, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, individuals and businesses all have a role to play in addressing the ongoing extinction crisis. Sociable Lapwing requires a suite of conservation actions on its breeding grounds, migration routes and in areas used during the non-breeding season.
What actions are needed, and do they work? Critically Endangered species require a combination of several types of conservation responses. Encouragingly, there is good evidence that if appropriate actions are implemented, underpinned by sound science, adequate resources and political will, species can recover – even from the brink of extinction. Mauritius Parakeet and Rarotonga Monarch (from the Cook Islands) are classic examples of species that were once reduced to tiny numbers of individuals but which were saved from extinction by timely conservation action. International Captive breeding 27
7
National
Harvest/trade management
19
6
30
3
60 31%
Law and policy
Species management
Private sector standards and codes
45 23%
5
Sub-national
Species re-introduction
Policies and regulations
9
Species recovery 32
Leglisation
Compliance and enforcement 3 International
16 10
32
6
National
Sub-national
Site protection
Education and awareness Land/water protection
81 41%
Actions needed for 197 Critically Endangered Species $
91
(M Koshkin)
Formal education
5
101 51%
8
Training
76 Habitat protection
20
13 7% Land/water management
Awareness and communications
Livelihood, economic and other incentives
119 60% 25
Habitat restoration
81 50 Site management
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Invasive species eradication/control
5
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The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme is turning the tide ... BirdLife responded to the extinction crisis by launching its Preventing Extinctions Programme in 2008. Since then, BirdLife Partners and Species Guardians have taken action for over 500 threatened species. For example, of 115 Critically Endangered species that BirdLife has taken action for since 2008, 80% are judged to have directly benefited. From site protection to control of hunting, BirdLife is tackling conservation issues for threatened birds worldwide. (BirdLife International)
Preventing extinctions and conserving threatened species Since the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme was launched in 2008, at least 537 threatened species (40%), including 115 Critically Endangered species (67% of those with known populations), have been the focus of conservation action through the programme. For most species, actions have focused on protection and management of sites and habitats, supported by education, awareness, research and monitoring. The majority of species have received direct conservation interventions (just 7% have been the focus of research or monitoring alone). Many other species have benefited from broader conservation action by BirdLife, which has helped to protect and safeguard Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and wider habitats, reduce threats, and raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation. Targeted interventions for the most urgent cases have been implemented by 46 Species Guardians who have been appointed to take action for 59 Critically Endangered and 11 Endangered species.
No action 808 (60%)
Received action 537 (40%)
Proportion of threatened species receiving action since 2008 through the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme
Actions undertaken for 537 threatened species by BirdLife International 2008–2013 80 70
% species
60
50 40 30 20 10 0
M
6
ing tor i n o
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80 70
Through the timely implementation of the most urgent conservation actions, the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme is improving the fortunes of a growing suite of threatened species. For example, of 115 Critically Endangered species that BirdLife has taken action for since 2008, 80% are judged to have directly benefited.
50
40 What has BirdLife achieved? 30
Of 115 Critically Endangered species with known populations that BirdLife has taken action for since 20 2008, 80% benefited. Of these, 20% are judged to have improved in status and 63% are likely to be declining less rapidly. A detailed analysis for a sample of 55 species shows that for the vast majority, 10 public awareness was increased, conservation capacity enhanced and threats reduced or stabilised. 0 Protected areas for omore than and andioncondition s or strengthened n n n one-third, ry the extent ng were aestablished ol ing rch ent tio ti tio nes ori ntr ove uct cillustrate eedthe eff of suitable ohabitat increased proportion. results of em tec o tec Together tec these dectiveness arefor a psimilar r ese e c o g nit o o o r b r r r R w a r e s t p p a e n d M e / t n v s s a i a i i n a c r e e t e actions implemented through the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. i i t t m o e i c / R t bi Sp Cap p ec cat ing ita spe /ha of s Edu for unt hab t / Site H n n e e io Sit em lat orc glis f e n L E Impact of actions implemented for Critically Endangered species by BirdLife International 2008–2013 (based on a sample of 55 species) 100 80
SAP % species
... and bringing species back from the brink of extinction
% species
60
60 40 20 0
Rarotonga Monarch (from the Cook Islands) was once reduced to a few dozen birds, but intensive conservation eorts have led to a ten-fold increase in its population size. (Hugh Robertson; DoC)
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Change in status for 115 Critically Endangered species BirdLife has taken action for since 2008
se rea inc
d
bili sta ec d/
Not yet benefited directly 23 (20%)
sed
ed rov p t im
p elo dev
ed
ed eas r c n in
bl sta e / ed
e ish
Benefited directly from action 92 (80%) Same status but would have been worse without action 16 (17%)
Declined less rapidly 58 (63%) Improved in status 18 (20%)
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Action on the ground: Species Guardians make a difference Species Guardians are individuals or organisations appointed through the Preventing Extinctions Programme to lead action on the ground for highly threatened species. Their passion, commitment, local knowledge and experience make them the best qualified people to save particular species from extinction.
“The Preventing Extinctions Programme has undoubtedly strengthened our success in obtaining international funding for our project. In addition, the programme supported a workshop that was key to the Hooded Grebe conservation programme, and funded a major part of the fieldwork during the last breeding season.” Hernan Casañas Hooded Grebe Project Leader, working with Aves Argentina (BirdLife in Argentina and Species Guardian for Hooded Grebe)
“Representing Aquasis as the Species Guardian for Araripe Manakin gives me the distinct feeling of being an internationally recognised steward for endangered birds. The support from the Preventing Extinctions Programme allowed our conservation team to establish a headquarters close to the Araripe Plateau, and since then, our interaction with the community has intensified so much that many people call me soldadinho, the common name of the species!” Weber Girão Aquasis: BirdLife Species Guardian for Araripe Manakin
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“In 2010, vast forest-fires destroyed the only breeding site for Zino’s Petrel. Besides the destruction of nests, almost 30 birds were found dead. The funding provided by the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme and many generous donations allowed the creation of artificial nests and restoration of vegetation. These actions were crucial to ensure the long-term survival of one of the rarest seabirds in Europe.” Joana Domingues SPEA (BirdLife in Portugal)
“With the assistance of the Species Champion, Viking Optical, we are continuing to empower the people of La Digue island, the stronghold of the Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher, by supporting the first community-based species stakeholder group in Seychelles, as well as a school club dedicated to the flycatcher.”
“My work on Grenada Dove has benefited from being part of the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. I’m proud to call myself a Species Guardian.” Bonnie Rusk Species Guardian for Grenada Dove
Nirmal Shah Nature Seychelles (BirdLife in Seychelles and Species Guardian for Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher)
A total of 46 individuals and organisations have been appointed as Species Guardians by the BirdLife International Partnership, and through their extraordinary efforts they are bringing highly threatened species back from the brink of extinction: Aquasis, Armonia, Associação dos Biólogos Santomenses, Aves Argentina, Aves Uruguay, Aves y Conservacion, Bahamas National Trust, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association, Bird Conservation Nepal, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Bombay Natural History Society, Bonnie Rusk (Grenada Dove Conservation Program), Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Chinese Wild Bird Federation, Asosiacion Ecosystemas Andinos (ECOAN), Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society, Fundación Jocotoco, Fundación Proyecto Paria, General Commission for Al Badia Management and Development (Syria), Haribon Foundation, Houssein Rayaleh (Djibouti Nature), Isabel Gómez, Ishaka Said (Comoros Conservation Project), Ivailo Angelov, Jasson John, Kry Masphal, Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie (MANU), Mareqeti Viti (Nature Fiji), Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, Michael Brooke (University of Cambridge), Mwangi Githiru, Nature Seychelles, Norbert Cordeiro, Ocotea, Oikonos, Paul Donald (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), Pingo D’água, ProAves, Pronatura, SAVE Brasil, Société Calédonienne d’Ornithologie, Seng Kim Hout, Sociedad Española de Ornitología, La Société d’Etudes Ornithologiques de La Réunion, Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc (SOPI) and Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA).
P8–9 side bar: D. Fouillot; SEOR. Grebe: Diego Punta Fernandez; Manakin: Andy & Gill Swash; worldwildlifeimages.com; Petrel: SPEA; Paradise-flycatcher: James Lowen; pbase.com/james_lowen, Dove: Anthony Jeremiah
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Examples of success
Araripe Manakin Key achievement: The species’ habitat has been formally protected and its conservation has been integrated into land-use planning.
This species, first discovered in 1998, has now been recorded at three locations on the north-eastern slope of the Chapada do Araripe, south Ceará, Brazil, where a population of about 800 individuals survives within 28 km² of remaining suitable habitat. Its known range is extremely small and subject to continuing pressures from agriculture and recreational development. In particular, the moist forest that it favours is being cleared for crops. Aquasis, the BirdLife Species Guardian, is working to conserve the species. It participates in key local forums and councils to ensure that Araripe Manakin is included in discussions about natural resource use and planning. The Araripe National Forest is classified as a Federal Sustainable Use Conservation Unit and has been protected since July 2000. Aquasis is now a member of the Advisory Board for the Araripe National Forest. Work continues to create a new Conservation Unit that would result in full legal protection of the total known area of occurrence of the species. The federal government is expected soon to approve the formal proposal for the species’ conservation plan. Species Champion: Sir David Attenborough
Restinga Antwren Key achievement: A State Park of 10,000 hectares has been established to protect almost the entire global distribution of the species.
This species has a highly restricted range around Cabo Frio in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, where is occurs in coastal scrub vegetation. Pingo D’água, the BirdLife Species Guardian, working with SAVE Brasil (BirdLife in Brazil), has campaigned for the protection of the species’ habitat. In April 2011, the Governor of Rio de Janeiro State signed documents to create the state park of Costa do Sol, protecting 10,000 hectares and encompassing almost all of the Restinga Antwren’s distribution. The population is still estimated at fewer than 1,000 individuals, but the new protection and a better understanding of the species status led to BirdLife downlisting its status on the IUCN Red List from Critically Endangered to Endangered in 2012. New research has yielded important new information regarding the home range size, foraging behaviour and population size. Introduced marmosets which had spread into the area and were threatening the bird’s nesting success are being removed under a project led by the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Representatives of local state and municipal bodies are now collaborating on marmoset management in the Restinga Antwren’s range. An education and awareness-raising campaign has generated considerable media coverage, while thousands of people have seen an exhibition and banners conveying messages about the unique biodiversity of the restinga habitat.
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Top: Ciro Albano; wordsrarestbirds.com Bottom: Mauricio Vecchi
Species Champion: Dr Urs-Peter Stäuble
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Examples of success
Puerto Rican Nightjar Key Achievement: Intensive surveys have increased the known distribution of the species, leading to its downlisting to a lower category on the IUCN Red List.
Hooded Grebe Key Achievement: Nesting colonies have been protected from predators, and a National Park to protect the species has been declared.
With an estimated population of 1,400–2,000 individuals, Puerto Rican Nightjar is only found on Puerto Rico. SOPI (BirdLife in Puerto Rico and Species Guardian for the nightjar) working with Mississippi State University have carried out a detailed study of the distribution of this species. They found that the species is more widely distributed than previously thought, which lead to BirdLife lowering the species’ IUCN Red List category to Endangered. The species was recorded over a broad region of southern Puerto Rico, but several sites where it was detected have not been incorporated in any of the major conservation planning efforts on the island. Unprotected areas in Puerto Rico are experiencing increasing deforestation from residential, industrial and recreational development, causing fragmentation, loss and degradation of remaining habitat. SOPI are now supporting work with private landowners, government agencies and other NGOs to ensure the continuity and integrity of the nightjar’s habitat.
Species Champion: urgently required
Hooded Grebe breeds on a small number of lakes in the interior of Santa Cruz, extreme south-west Argentina, and winters on estuaries on the Atlantic coast of Santa Cruz. The main threats are nest predation by an increasing population of Kelp Gulls, predation of adults by introduced American Mink, and predation and competition for food resources from alien Rainbow Trout. Conservation action is now underway to address these threats, led by Aves Argentinas (BirdLife in Argentina and Species Guardian for the grebe), and a local organisation, Ambiente Sur, who are working together to prevent the extinction of Hooded Grebe. They have carried out surveys that recorded over 700 individuals, and collected data on introduced mink. “Colony Guardians” have been established to work with local communities. These are local people assigned to protect nests from predators, and to collect breeding data. Their efforts have improved survival rates at a number of colonies. Most importantly, a National Park encompassing much of the grebe’s breeding habitat has been declared, and a law passed to ban introduction of trout into the lakes.
Top: Michael J Morel; worldsrarestbirds.com Bottom: Diego Punta Fernandez
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Species Champion: urgently required
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Examples of success
African Penguin Key Achievement: Research has demonstrated the benefit of restricting commercial fishing around breeding colonies.
Once numbering in the millions, the South African population of African Penguin has declined to fewer than 20,000 pairs. It is at risk from a number of threats including predation by seals, oil spills and food shortages. The latter is most pressing: penguins eat mainly sardines and anchovies, which have shifted their distribution from the west to the south coast, further from penguin breeding colonies. The fish are also the target of the commercial purse-seine fishing industry. With support from a Species Champion, BirdLife South Africa is tackling these issues. Research is underway to investigate the effect of preventing fishing in waters around penguin breeding colonies on penguin foraging and breeding success. Preliminary results show that this may benefit penguins as they do not have to swim as far to find food. Satellite transmitters are being used to track penguins outside the breeding season, to see where they go to fatten up before and after moulting. The results will help to identify the threats faced by the species during these periods. Species Champion: Charl van der Merwe Trust
Liben Lark Key Achievement: The support of local people has been won for conservation efforts to manage the Liben Plain for people and larks.
This species is restricted to highly threatened grasslands on the Liben plateau, Ethiopia, and in an area near the Somaliland border to the north-east. In 2009, BirdLife uplisted Liben Lark to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with warnings that, without immediate action, it was likely to become continental Africa’s first recorded bird extinction. Money raised by the British Birdwatching Fair has supported the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society (BirdLife in Ethiopia and Species Guardian for Liben Lark) to attempt to restore the lark’s habitat. The project has been working with the agro-pastoralist community that depends on the Liben Plain for its livelihoods, in order to win their support for conservation efforts. Twenty-five singing male larks were counted on transects in November 2012, including five in areas recently cleared of scrub that had encroached the grassland, where none had been recorded since regular counts began in 2007. The total population is now estimated to number 130–390 individuals, all confined to an area of just 30–36 km2. Work is underway to clear encroaching scrub, establish non-grazing areas, prevent further conversion of grassland on the plain, and to build conservation capacity. A committee with broad representation has been established to manage the restoration of the Liben Plain, while multi-stakeholder workshops have led to agreement to oppose any further agricultural expansion and work with conservation organisations to preserve pastoralism.
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Top: BirdLife South Africa Bottom: Greg Davies
Species Champion: British Birdwatching Fair
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Examples of success
Azores Bullfinch Key Achievement: Conservation efforts including habitat restoration have substantially increased the population size of the species.
This species is restricted to the island of São Miguel, where the first population census, in 1989, suggested a population of around 100 pairs. In response, a five-year EU-funded LIFE project was launched in 2003 coordinated by SPEA (BirdLife in Portugal and Species Guardian for Azores Bullfinch). Since then, around 230 ha of laurel forest have been restored. Orchards have been created at lower altitudes to improve winter food availability and to increase the interest of farmers in this alternative livelihood activity. The project has also provided the equivalent of full time employment for 25 local people annually, and added an estimated €335,000 to the regional GDP each year. In 2008, a comprehensive population census was carried out; the population was estimated to have grown to 775 individuals and its range was found to be greater than previously thought. In light of these extremely positive findings, BirdLife downlisted the species to Endangered in 2010. Species Champion: Birdwatch Magazine
Asian vultures Key Achievement: Precipitous population declines on the Indian subcontinent have now been stabilised, and captive breeding populations have been established.
Four species of South Asia’s vultures have declined by up to 99.9% over recent decades, driven by the toxic effects of a veterinary drug, diclofenac, which kills vultures that feed on the carcasses of recently treated cattle. These vulture species were on the edge of extinction but a partnership including BNHS and BCN (BirdLife in India and Nepal respectively, and Species Guardians) and RSPB (BirdLife in the UK), has been successful in halting the decline, and is now trying to reverse it. Intensive advocacy efforts have been successful in persuading governments in India, Nepal and Pakistan to ban veterinary use of diclofenac. Efforts to reverse the decline in vulture populations are being coordinated by a consortium of national conservation organisations and multi-national vulture experts, under the Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) initiative. A key action has been the establishment of several captive breeding centres across the subcontinent, where birds are fed diclofenac-free meat, and at least some are now breeding successfully. The latest surveys show that populations of at least three of the Critically Endangered vulture species appear to have stabilised over the last few years in both India and Nepal.
Top: Leo Boon; worldsrarest.com Bottom: Ganesh H Shankar; worldsrarestbirds.com
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Species Champion: urgently required
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Examples of success
Spoon-billed Sandpiper Key Achievement: BirdLife Partners and Species Guardians have taken coordinated action for this species along its entire migration route.
Spoon-billed Sandpiper has a broad distribution encompassing breeding grounds in the Russian Far East, and migration routes and wintering areas in South-East and South Asia. In 2011, the first steps to establish a conservation breeding programme for this species were successfully taken, led by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and BirdsRussia. At the other end of the birds’ flyway, in Myanmar and Bangladesh, conservation teams are stopping the killing of Spoonbilled Sandpipers by helping hunters to set up new sustainable businesses. Along the flyway, BirdLife Partners are linking up under the coordination of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force to effect change. For example, BirdLife’s China Programme, the Hong Kong Birdwatching Society (BirdLife in Hong Kong) and the Wild Bird Society of Shanghai have been working at one site, Rudong, thanks to a grant from Disney’s Friends for Change. Conservation education at local schools and awareness-raising events have helped to increase understanding among local communities of the importance of coastal wetlands for migratory birds and people. Species Champions: WildSounds, Heritage Expeditions, Dutch Birding, VBN and Disney Friends for Change
Sociable Lapwing Key Achievement: Satellite-tracking has identified the migration routes of this species, in turn helping to determine and mitigate the threats the species faces.
This species breeds in central Asia and migrates to the Middle East, Africa and India during the nonbreeding season. Research on the breeding grounds has shed light on the species’ population size, habitat use, distribution and nesting success. Satellite-tracking devices have provided information on where and how these birds migrate, so that BirdLife Species Guardians and Partners can monitor numbers on the ground, identify threats such as illegal hunting, and take whatever immediate action is necessary to protect the birds. The Sociable Lapwing Project is a superb example of the way the BirdLife International Partnership coordinates its activities: tags fitted by researchers working for ACBK (BirdLife in Kazakhstan) transmit data to RSPB scientists (BirdLife in the UK) who then guide field teams such as those from Doga Dernegi (BirdLife in Turkey) straight to the location of migrating birds in the field. This is a truly international conservation effort! Progress has been made in protecting Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas supporting the species in Kazakhstan, while education and awarenessraising has been undertaken with local people in India and with hunters in Iraq. A dedicated website – The Amazing Journey – www.birdlife.org/sociable-lapwing – follows the project and communicates results to a wide audience, stimulating additional awareness and ‘citizen science’ support and participation.
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Top: James Gilroy Bottom: Ghulam Rasool Mughal; worldsrarestbirds.com
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Species Champions: Swarovski Optik and RSPB
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Examples of success
Carnaby’s Black-cockatoo Key Achievement: Remnant habitats for this species have been protected and restored through working with private landholders.
Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo has a large distribution covering many different vegetation types in south-west Australia. With support from the Australian Government, BirdLife Australia has been working with local communities, landholders and land managers to secure the protection and conservation of the species and its habitat. This has involved community engagement programs and education, along with provision of support to private landholders to preserve and restore priority remnant vegetation types. Baseline data-collection and nest-monitoring are being implemented. Since 2004, a volunteer team has repaired over 150 damaged or degraded nesting trees, a simple and inexpensive way to increase the chances of breeding. Species Champion: urgently required
Kokako Key Achievement: Populations have been establishment on predatorfree islands, while mainland populations have grown following control of introduced mammals.
Top: Don Hadden; worldsrarestbirds.com Bottom: David Hallett
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BirdLife Partner, Forest & Bird, has been working for many years alongside the New Zealand Government’s Department of Conservation to save the Kokako on New Zealand’s North Island. This species is highly threatened by invasive alien predators. Several Kokako pairs are now breeding successfully in the ‘Ark in the Park’, a fenceless reserve in a councilowned rainforest west of Auckland city managed by Forest & Bird. The key to success has been extremely efficient predator control. Ship rats have been reduced to 1% of their normal population level, and possums, stoats and feral cats have almost been eliminated. Birds have been introduced to offshore islands, and individuals have been translocated to both new sites and remnant populations on the mainland, in all cases in association with predatorcontrol. These measures, along with the establishment of the population in the Ark in the Park, will hopefully safeguard the future of the Kokako. Species Champion: urgently required
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Preventing extinctions: Species Champions make it possible Species Champions are companies, organisations and individuals who provide the resources to make preventing extinctions possible. BirdLife is grateful to all its supporters.
BirdLife International is extremely grateful to all the Species Champions, Project Supporters and Trusts and Foundations who have joined us to help promote and fund the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme and its various species recovery projects during the last five years. We thank the British Birdwatching Fair (our Founding Global Programme Sponsor) and our BirdLife Species Champions: an extraordinary, growing, international community of companies, organisations and individuals who have committed to support the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme for a minimum of three years. At a higher level, Species Champions support a particular Critically Endangered species by providing significant funding to help its recovery. They are linked to that species and we recognise them for making a specific contribution to its conservation and their additional support to the overall programme. Our other Species Champions support the whole suite of species projects. Their funding is pooled, primarily to provide resources used for the conservation of all globally threatened species prioritised by the BirdLife International Partnership. Species Champions
Birdfair
Disney Friends for Change
“Conservation is important to both us and our customers and The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme is the perfect opportunity for us to become involved.” Tim Strivens, Viking “I believe every keen birder who is fortunate enough to have the financial means to travel around the world to see Critically Endangered species should seriously consider becoming a Species Champion.” Dr Urs Peter Stäuble
Angry Birds
Arbutus Images
Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund
Dutch Birding Association
Airports Company South Africa
Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
Rio Tinto
The World’s Rarest...
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
Bird Holidays
Eskom
Petra Diamonds
Rockjumper Birding Tours
Viking Optical
Birdwatch Magazine
Gardenature
Philippines Department of Tourism
RSPB
Rare Bird Alert
Sveriges Ornitologiska Förening
Vogelbescherming Nederland
Digital Spring
Heritage Expeditions
Giant Ibis Transport
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Save Our Species Fund
WildSounds
BTO
Wader Quest
Rare Bird Alert Belgium
Swarovski Optik
TheBirdersReport.com
WANT Expeditions
Winchester College
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Sir David Attenborough, The Blackwood Family, Nigel Bowen-Morris, The Ellis Family, Chris Goodwin, Martin Hale, Joan M Harvey, Erik Hirschfeld (Rare Birds Yearbook), Helena Jefferson, Ed Keeble, Ceri Levy,The MacKinnon Family, Steve Martin, Rory McCann, Mike McGrady, Charlie Moores, Peter Oakley, The Olewine Family, Palabora Mining Company, The Prentice Family, The Reissing Family, Michael Schmitz, Colin Shields, Peter Smith, Urs-Peter Stäuble, Klemens Steiof, Terry Townshend, Per Undeland, Noel & Hilary Woodhead
We also thank our many extremely generous Programme Supporters whose individual donations also make a significant and growing contribution to our work:
Major Supporters
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Charities Advisory Trust, Charl van der Merwe Trust, Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund, David & Lucile Packard Foundation, James Gibson Charitable Trust, Macquarie Group Foundation, The Peter Smith Trust, Taiwan International Collaboration and Development Fund, Tasso Leventis Foundation, The Tolkien Trust
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PEP Supporters African Bird Club, Gleb Antonov, Richard Amos, Aquila Media, Arbutus Images, Marcia Arland, Stephen Ashby, John S Austin, David Bakewell, David Bell, Birding Navarra, Birdstack. com, Raymond Bloch, Lambert Blokhuis, Roman Bodinek, Olivier Boissier, Ian Bradshaw, David Brown, Edward Carroll, Steve Chastell, Joseph J Childs, Sam Chipote, Rohan Clarke, Anthony J Collerton, Mark Constantine, David Czaplak, Robert Crossman, Stephen Daly, Kevin Davis, Bertus De Lange, Steve Dudley, Stephen Dungey, Andrew Dobson, Charles Duncan, Martin Eccles, Stephen D Eccles, Norman Ellstrand, Phillip Erven, Melanie Farmer, Elizabeth J Fenton, Mathis Feuersenge, Field Guides Incorporated, Raymond Finn, Stewart Ford, Julian E Francis, Geoff Robinson Photography, Anthony Gale, Richard Gillam, Angelika Göser, Vicky Graham, Kari Haataja, Richard E Hale, Frank D Hamilton, Justin Hart, Brenton J Head, Elfrida Heath, Otto Heeg, Peter Hendley, Agneta Heuman, Erik Hirschfeld, Nigel D Hewitt, Jeff Hoppes, Chris Hughes, Adrienne Hulf, John Humphreys, S M Hunt, Stephen Hunter, in focus, Ingrid Isaksen, Thierry Jansen, Daniel Jenkins-Jones, Catherine Johnson, Richard Johnson, Sonia Jupp, Kalikora Books, Niall Keogh, Wolfgang Koschel, Michael Barry Lancaster, Richard R Langley, Elvet Lewis, Antti J Lind, Konrad Lindemann, Svend Linderstrom, James Lowther, Ulrich Mahler, Raimundo Martin, Marjorie Mann, Bruce McCay, David Melzack, Basil C Morson, Neil Multack, Natural History Book Service, Bjorn Norden, Des Norden, SJ O’Byrne, Jan Oldebring, Guy R Oxborough, Alan J Parfitt, Johnny Parks, Andy Paterson, Stephen Peel, Permian, Jean Ploetscher, Porzana Ltd, Prion Ltd, Gareth D Rees, Stuart Reeves, Darren Riley, John M Robertson, Beryl G Roth, Charles Rowney, Royal Navy Birdwatching Society, Steve Rutledge, Safari West Inc, Gavin Salisbury, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Alberto Savijn, Hans Semeins, Dubi Shapiro, Sam Shaw, Mike Shurmer, Rick & Elis Simpson, Roderic N Simpson, Sociedad Espanola de Ornitologia, Jennifer T Spring-Smyth, Hugh Stancliffe, Sarah Stevens, Mathew Storey, Eva Streit, Peter Sziemer, 10000birds.com, Conservation Club, Fabian Teves, Stephen Thal, E A Thomas, Elaine Thomas, Philip J Tizzard, Hazel Underwood, Ewan Urquhart, Miriam Van den Bosch, Lex Van Groningen, Marcy Valley, Carlos Vilhena, Nigel Voaden, Franziska Vogel, Judith Webster, David Weeshoff, John White, Andrew O Wilkie, Duncan Wilson, David Wingate, Hugo G Wood Homer, theworldsrarestbirds.com, Lisa Yntema, Michael R Zeiss, Han Zevenhuisen In addition, we thank the many organisations and individuals who support the preventing extinctions work undertaken by individual BirdLife Partners. Get involved as a Champion or a Supporter To find out more about how to become a BirdLife Species Champion or a Preventing Extinctions Programme supporter please contact us today: Send an email to: species.champions@birdlife.org. Call us on: +44 1223 277318. Or write to us at: BirdLife Species Champions, BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, CB3 0NA, UK. You can keep up with our progress on our website at www.birdlife.org/extinction
BirdLife International is the world’s largest nature conservation Partnership. Together we are 121 BirdLife Partners worldwide—one per country and territory—and growing, with almost 11 million supporters, 7,000 local conservation groups and 7,400 staff. BirdLife’s vision is a world rich in biodiversity, where people and nature live in harmony. We are driven by our belief that local people, working for nature in their own places but connected nationally and internationally through our global Partnership, are the key to sustaining all life on this planet. This unique local-to-global approach delivers high impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people. BirdLife is widely recognised as the world leader in bird conservation. Rigorous science informed by practical feedback from projects on the ground in important sites and habitats enables us to implement successful conservation programmes for birds and all of nature. For more information, please contact: BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 0NA, UK. Tel: +44 1223 277318 Fax: +44 1223 277200 Email: birdlife@birdlife.org Internet: www.birdlife.org BirdLife International is a UK-registered charity, no. 1042125
About this report: the material in this report is drawn from the State of the world’s birds, an extensive searchable database at www.birdlife.org/sowb – please visit this site for further information and examples. Compilers: Stuart Butchart, Martin Fowlie, Tris Allinson and Lynda Donaldson. Additional contributors: Veronica Anadon, Mark Balman, Leon Bennun, Mark O’Brien, Simba Chan, Rob Clay, Mike Crosby, Richard Grimmett, Sharif Jbour, Jim Lawrence, Arne Lesterhuis, Ian May, Kariuki Ndanganga, Alison Stattersfield, Andy Symes, Joe Taylor, Claire Thompson, Willem Van Den Bossche and David Wege. Acknowledgements: Many of the data underlying the analyses included here were provided by the BirdLife Partnership and a wider expert network, including the IUCN/ SSC bird specialist groups. BirdLife thanks the photographers and The World’s Rarest for permission to use several of the images included here, and Peter Creed and the staff at NatureBureau for design and layout. BirdLife is particularly grateful to the BirdLife Species Champions for support to the Preventing Extinctions Programme. Recommended citation: BirdLife International (2013) Saving the world’s most threatened birds: the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. © 2013 BirdLife International ISBN 978-0-946888-86-3 British Library-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Designed and produced by NatureBureau, www.naturebureau.co.uk Printed on Revive 50 Silk, an FSC certified paper made with 50% recycled post-consumer fibre Cover picture: White-winged Guan (Roger Ahlman; worldsrarestbirds.com); Polynesian Ground-dove (Pete Morris); Lear’s Macaw (Andy & Gill Swash; worldwildlifeimages.com); Juan Fernandez Firecrown (Kevin D Mack; worldsrarestbirds.com); Araripe Manakin (Ciro Albano; worldsrarestbirds.com); Chinese Crested Tern (Chen Lin; worldsrarestbirds.com); Wandering Albatross (Craig Evans Photography Flickr). The presentation of material in this book and the geographical designations employed do not imply the expression or any opinion whatsoever on the part of BirdLife International concerning the legal status of any country, territory of area, or, concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
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Together we are BirdLife International Partnership for nature and people PEP Report.indd 20
www.birdlife.org
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