According to a UN survey, almost half of the migratory species suffer damage, and about a quarter are in danger of extinction. The worst situation is for the migratory fish species, with almost 97% of them in danger due to overfishing and offensive and unnecessary bycatch
A new UN survey indicates severe damage to migratory animal species as a result of human activity. The report warns that the conservation situation of many migratory species is getting worse, with severe damage to the populations of turtles, whales, sharks, elephants, reptiles, cats, birds and even insects.
According to the survey, almost half of the migratory species suffer damage, and about a quarter are in danger of extinction. The most serious situation is that of the migratory fish species, with almost 97% of them in danger due to overfishing and offensive and unnecessary bycatch.
According to the "Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals", there are about 4,500 migratory species, of which more than a thousand need protection. In addition, about 400 species are not protected and are in danger of extinction.
Bird populations migrating between Africa and Europe are hunted to extinction in many countries. Among mammals, habitat destruction is a detriment to migratory species, such as the Serengeti-Mare ecosystem in Tanzania and Kenya, which has been damaged by agricultural development and settlement. About 80% of the agricultural areas developed in Africa in the last decade have caused the destruction of the natural vegetation on which the migratory species rely.
In addition, pollution and spread of alien/invasive species harms native species. This situation affected one of the largest concentrations of wild animals in the world and one of the well-known and famous migration phenomena of wildebeest, zebra and others. Since these herbivores "support" many super-carnivores such as lions, cheetahs and coyotes, they are also affected.
The importance of migratory species to the environment stems from a variety of reasons: they consume huge amounts of food and with their movement transport nutrients to large areas, their movement supports plant pollination, and the grazing of vegetarian species contributes to the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the marine plankton movement is considered the largest biomass migration in the world.
The UN report Calls for international cooperation to restore and preserve the habitats of migratory species, remove barriers to their movement, improve legislation to prevent harmful illegal activities, and reduce the bycatch of fish. The goal is not only to restore the situation of the migratory species, but also to preserve the special and beautiful phenomenon of migration, as said by the little prince: "It is beautiful therefore it is useful".
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