Major threats to a migratory raptor vary geographically along the eastern Mediterranean flyway
Author:
Oppel SteffenORCID, Arkumarev Volen, Bakari Samuel, Dobrev Vladimir, Saravia Victoria, Adefolu Solomon, Sözüer Lale Aktay, Apeverga Paul Tersoo, Arslan Şafak, Barshep Yahkat, Bino Taulant, Bounas Anastasios, Çetin Turan, Dayyoub Maher, Dobrev Dobromir, Duro Klea, El-Moghrabi Laith, ElSafoury Hana, Endris Ahmed, Asswad Nabegh Ghazal, Harry Junior Hanson, Ivande Sam T, Jbour Sharif, Kapsalis Eleftherios, Kret Elzbieta, Mahamued Bruktawit A, Manu Shiiwua A, Mengistu Solomon, Moussa Zabeirou Abdoul Razack, Muhammad Sulaiman Inuwa, Nakev Slave, Ngari Alex, Onoja Joseph, Osta Maher, Özuslu Serdar, Petrovski Nenad, Popgeorgiev Georgi, Pourchier Cloé, Ruffo Alazar, Shobrak Mohammed, Sidiropoulos Lavrentis, Skartsi Theodora, Sözüer Özgün, Stara Kalliopi, Tesfaye Million, Topi Mirjan, Vavylis Dimitrios, Velevski Metodija, Vorpsi Zydjon, Wondafrash Mengistu, Xeka Erald, Yeniyurt Can, Yordanov Emil, Nikolov Stoyan C
Abstract
AbstractMillions of large soaring birds migrate from the Palaearctic to Africa every year, and follow distinct flyways around the Mediterranean Sea. While there is conservation concern for many long-distance migratory bird populations, the magnitude and geographic range of threats affecting birds along flyways are poorly known, which complicates efficient mitigation. We used an endangered soaring migrant, the Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopterus, as an example species to assess important threats in 13 countries along the eastern Mediterranean flyway. We tracked 71 birds using satellite telemetry to quantify mortalities, surveyed 4198 km of powerlines to detect dead birds, conducted 910 interviews to quantify the prevalence of poison use, and assessed the magnitude of direct persecution by surveying markets and hunters. We lost 44 birds (50% in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, 16% in the Middle East, and 34% in Africa), and mortality causes varied geographically. Inadvertent poisoning resulting from rural stakeholders targeting predators occurred along most of the flyway. On the breeding grounds in eastern Europe, poisoning and collision and electrocution continue to be major threats. Electrocution on small and poorly designed electricity pylons was most severe in Turkey, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, while direct persecution to meet market demands for belief-based use of vulture products appears to be the largest threat in Nigeria and Niger. Illegal direct persecution for leisure is a major threat in the Middle East and Egypt. Although our work cannot quantitatively estimate which of the identified threats has the greatest demographic impact on Egyptian Vultures, none of threats are species-specific and are therefore relevant for many other migratory birds. Our assessment highlights the key threats per country that range states need to address to meet their obligations under the Convention of Migratory Species to protect migratory birds.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
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