A new study has confirmed the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, a migratory shorebird last observed in 1995. This extinction marks a crucial loss for biodiversity, being the first confirmed avian extinction from mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. Contributing factors include habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change, demanding immediate global conservation action.
Recent scientific findings have confirmed the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, a migratory shorebird that once bred in western Siberia and wintered in the Mediterranean region. The bird has not been unequivocally sighted since 1995 in northern Morocco. This marks the first documented global extinction of a bird from mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. The IUCN Red List reports that a total of 164 bird species have become extinct since 1500, out of over 11,000 assessed by BirdLife International, the recognized Red List Authority for birds. This publication is the result of a collaboration involving the RSPB, BirdLife International, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and the Natural History Museum.
Nicola Crockford, Principal Policy Officer for the RSPB, emphasized the gravity of this extinction, stating, “This is one of the most fundamentally devastating stories to come out of nature conservation in a century… How can we expect countries beyond Europe to step up for their species when our comparatively wealthy countries have failed?” Factors contributing to the Slender-billed Curlew’s decline include habitat destruction due to agricultural drainage, loss of coastal wetlands, hunting pressures, pollution, disease, climate change, and predation. The extent of these impacts remains largely unknown.
Dr. Alex Bond, Senior Curator in Charge of Birds at the Natural History Museum, reiterated the gravity of the situation, saying, “When the Slender-billed Curlew stopped returning to their main wintering site at Merja Zerga, Morocco, there was quite a lot of effort put in to try to locate them… And all this has turned up, unfortunately, is nothing.” He further noted the ongoing threats to avian species, stating, “As climate change continues, this is going to be the status quo. Things are not getting better for birds. Tackling climate change… is the best chance we’ve got at protecting them.”
This devastating loss has raised alarms as 16 other migratory shorebird species have recently been elevated to higher threat categories on the IUCN Red List due to declining populations. Alex Berryman, Red List Officer at BirdLife International, cautioned, “The devastating loss of the Slender-billed Curlew sends a warning that no birds are immune from the threat of extinction… Urgent conservation action is desperately needed to save birds.”
Crockford concluded by highlighting the interconnectedness of migratory birds and international conservation efforts, stating, “The extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew is as much a clarion call for greatly enhanced action for nature as the floods, fires and droughts devastating the planet are for action to combat climate change.”
The Slender-billed Curlew, known for its migratory behaviors, once inhabited breeding grounds in western Siberia and wintered across the Mediterranean region. Despite extensive search efforts over several years, the bird has not been sighted since 1995, leading to concerns about its survival. Its extinction underlines a significant ecological crisis, particularly as it is the first bird documented to have gone extinct from mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, highlighting a pressing need for increased conservation efforts globally. The study reporting this extinction arises from a coalition of respected biodiversity organizations.
The extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of bird species and the urgent necessity for conservation efforts. With significant ecological implications, it necessitates unprecedented international action to address the threats posed by habitat loss, climate change, and other factors affecting bird populations. Enhanced collaboration and commitment among nations will be paramount to prevent further losses of avian species and safeguard biodiversity worldwide.
Original Source: www.birdlife.org
