In a disheartening revelation, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) acknowledges a dismal performance in protecting migratory species, with nearly half of the 1,100 species covered by a U.N. treaty facing population declines. The inaugural State of the World’s Migratory Species report points to hunting, fishing, farming, and habitat loss as primary culprits, pushing 44% of listed species towards decline and placing 22% on the brink of extinction.
The report highlights that negative human impacts, including pollution affecting food chains, contribute to the threats faced by migratory species. Furthermore, early signs of climate change affecting migration paths and cycles compound the challenges faced by these vulnerable species.
As the U.N.’s Convention on Migratory Species struggles to fulfill its mandate, an additional 399 species not covered by the treaty now face threats of extinction or imminent endangerment. The report underscores the urgent need for heightened global conservation efforts, enhanced protection measures, and a renewed commitment to addressing the multifaceted threats posed by human activities and environmental changes.
Source: