27/02/2019
Each year
a sickening 25 million migrant birds are illegally slaughtered as they pass
between Africa and Europe, sparking BirdLife International to launch a new
campaign called Flight for Survival this week. The campaign
will set out to raise awareness off the issue globally, though there will be a
key focus on seven species in particular: Blackcap, Common
Quail, Eastern
Imperial Eagle, Egyptian
Vulture, European
Turtle Dove, European
Honey Buzzard and White
Stork.
The
millions of killed birds are often either poisoned, shot or trapped (by glue or
mist nets). Two studies by BirdLife International – covering the Mediterranean
and Central, Eastern and Northern Europe respectively – have unearthed
these shocking figures and causes of death. A myriad of species are
killed, with feeble reasons such as sport, food or 'pest control'. More often
than not, such action is illegal.
These
great threats come on top of a changing climate and world in which habitat is continually
being destroyed. Egyptian
Vulture – an Endangered species – has declined by 50 per cent
during the last 50 years and nowadays just one in seven juveniles reach
adulthood. Another striking example of dramatic decline is that of European
Turtle Dove. Once common and widespread in Europe, and indeed
the UK, this species was listed as Vulnerable for the first time in 2016. It is
one of the most heavily persecuted species in the Mediterranean.
Both of
these birds will be part of an awareness raising campaign provided by Flight
for Survival, along with the five aforementioned species. The project will
follow the migration journeys of these species as they travel from Africa to
their breeding grounds in Europe, revealing the various threats they face as
they pass through some of the worst blackspots.
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