BIRD conservationists have once again highlighted the dwindling populations of indigenous local species, estimating the population of Griffon vultures and ravens is down to just 25
“Cyprus also has two species, which though not globally threatened, could easily be described as the ‘living dead’ of the island. The Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is today down to fewer than 10 birds,” Birdlife Cyprus said yesterday:
While it was common on the island in days gone by, the Griffon vulture has suffered a dramatic decline mainly due to the illegal use of poison bait (targeting foxes and stray dogs), disturbance and the reduction in free-range grazing.
“The same has happened to the raven (Corvus corax), the biggest crow found on Cyprus. The species’ population is today estimated to be less than 15 birds, nesting only in the Pentadactylos range.”
The declining population is especially worrying, given that Cyprus plays host to three other species under threat of extinction globally.
BirdLife Global Research and Indicators coordinator Stuart Butchart said: “Cyprus hosts significant numbers of three species that are threatened on a global level: The Roller (Coracias garrulus), which nests on our island, and two migrant visitors, the Pallid harrier (Circus macrourus) and the Red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus).
While the state of the natural environment is truly poor on a global level, this year’s update of the Red List of threatened birds does also include some positive examples, where the trends concerning certain species have been improved following the implementation of targeted conservation measures.
The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), a small falcon that visits Cyprus on migration in spring and autumn, has been “downlisted” from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘least concern’ on a global level, which represents a significant improvement in status.
“The results from BirdLife International’s Red List show once again the crisis faced by biodiversity and the environment in general. Through targeted conservation action it is possible to reverse this situation,” the organisation said.
“For many threatened species, it would be enough if environmental concerns were embodied in other policies, which often clash with environmental priorities,” said BirdLife director Clairie Papazoglou.
Birdlife Cyprus’ report follows an announcement by Birdlife international that one of the world’s largest species of bird is on the brink of extinction according to the 2011 IUCN Red List for birds.
The Great Indian Bustard – Ardeotis nigriceps – has been up-listed to critically endangered, the highest level of threat.
Hunting, disturbance, habitat loss and fragmentation have all conspired to reduce this magnificent species to perhaps as few as 250 individuals.
Standing a metre in height and weighing in at nearly 15 kg, the Great Indian Bustard was once widespread across the grasslands of India and Pakistan but is now restricted to small and isolated fragments of remaining habitat.
“In an ever more crowded world, species that need lots of space, such as the Great Indian Bustard, are losing out. However, we are the ones who lose in the long run, as the services that nature provides us start to disappear,” said BirdLife Science and Policy director Leon Bennun
This year’s update brings the total number of threatened bird species to 1,253, an alarming 12 per cent of the world total.
“Birds provide a window on the rest of nature. They are very useful indicators of ecosystem health: if they are faring badly, then so is wildlife more generally,” said Butchart.
