Scientists have confirmed the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, a migratory shorebird native to western Siberia and the Mediterranean. Last seen in Morocco in 1995, its loss marks the first avian extinction from mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. Experts urge for urgent conservation action as this event reflects broader declines in bird species globally amid ongoing environmental threats.
Recent scientific assessments have declared the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, a migratory shorebird that once bred in western Siberia and wintered along the Mediterranean coasts. The last confirmed sighting of this bird occurred in north Morocco in 1995. This extinction marks a significant event, being the first recorded avian extinction from mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. The analysis, conducted collaboratively by the RSPB, BirdLife International, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and the Natural History Museum, underscores the urgency of addressing biodiversity conservation in these regions.
The decline of the Slender-billed Curlew may have stemmed from various pressures, including habitat loss due to agricultural drainage of breeding grounds, degradation of wintering coastal wetlands, and hunting amid an already dwindled population. Factors such as pollution, disease, predation, and climate change were also posited as contributors, although their specific impacts have remained largely uncertain.
Dr. Alex Bond, Senior Curator in Charge of Birds at the Natural History Museum, remarked on the exhaustive efforts made to locate the curlew, stating, “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 emphasized the ongoing issues brought by climate change, urging a comprehensive approach to tackle habitat destruction and pollution.
Following the Slender-billed Curlew’s extinction, 16 additional migratory shorebird species have been uplisted to higher threat categories on the IUCN Red List due to declining populations, further highlighting the fragility of bird species amidst environmental changes.
Alex Berryman, Red List Officer at BirdLife International, cautioned that “The devastating loss of the Slender-billed Curlew sends a warning that no birds are immune from the threat of extinction.” He pointed out that while island bird extinctions have slowed, continental extinctions are on the rise, necessitating urgent conservation measures to avert broader extinction waves.
In conclusion, Ms. Nicola Crockford from the RSPB stated, “Migratory birds connect nations. Efforts by some countries to conserve a species can be undermined by damaging actions in other countries… 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.” These statements serve to underline the interconnectedness of global biodiversity and the urgent need for international collaborative efforts in conservation.
The Slender-billed Curlew is a migratory shorebird that historically bred in western Siberia and wintered in the Mediterranean region. Over the years, its population faced significant threats from habitat loss due to agricultural activities, hunting pressures, and environmental degradation. Despite numerous search efforts since its last confirmed sighting in 1995, the species has not been found, leading experts to conclude its extinction. This event not only reflects the dire state of certain bird populations but also serves as a stark reminder of the broader implications of biodiversity loss.
The extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew highlights a critical challenge in conservation efforts, particularly regarding migratory species that cross international boundaries. Experts emphasize that without immediate and coordinated action, the threats of climate change, habitat destruction, and overexploitation will exacerbate bird population declines worldwide. This incident acts as a clarion call for enhanced global cooperation and commitment to biodiversity conservation.
Original Source: www.birdlife.org
