DECEMBER 3, 2019
Australia's threatened birds declined by
nearly 60% on average over 30 years, according to new research that reveals the
true impact on native wildlife of habitat loss, introduced pests, and other
human-caused pressures.
Alarmingly, migratory shorebirds have
declined by 72%. Many of these species inhabit our mudflats and coasts on their
migration from Siberia, Alaska or China each year.
These concerning figures are revealed in our
world-first Threatened Bird Index. The index, now
updated with its second year of data, combines over 400,000 surveys at more
than 17,000 locations.
It's hoped the results will shed light on
where conservation efforts are having success, and where more work must be
done.
Bringing conservation efforts together
The index found a 59% fall in Australia's
threatened and near threatened bird populations between 1985 and 2016.
Migratory shorebirds in South Australia and
New South Wales have been worst hit, losing 82% and 88% of their populations,
respectively. In contrast, shorebirds in the Northern Territory have increased
by 147% since 1985, potentially due to the safe roosting habitat at Darwin
Harbour where human access to the
site is restricted.
Habitat loss and pest species (particularly
feral cats) are the most common reasons for these dramatic population declines.
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