AR-News: (S. Africa) Shocking figures reveal sad plight of birds

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

March 08 2004 at 08:24AM
 

By Tony Carnie

One out of every eight of the world's 10 000 different bird species are now 
threatened with extinction.

This is according to the latest expert report on bird conservation, State of 
the World's Birds 2004, which was to be launched at the BirdLife International 
world conservation congress in Durban on Monday. 

Compiled by avian researchers around the globe, it brings together the most 
up-to-date knowledge about the status of bird populations worldwide.

According to co-author Stuart Butchart, the future of nearly 1 200 different 
bird types is threatened. Of these, about 180 species are classified as 
"critically endangered".

Butchart says the future of birds and mankind are linked integrally, and 
because they are so widespread and so well studied, birds could be regarded as 
early-warning environmental indicators.

"Birds are sending us some important messages that should not be ignored," 
says the report.

"They show that our global environment is under serious strain, with a 
massive and still increasing haemorrhage of biodiversity."
Bird groups facing the most serious threats include the vultures of Asia and 
albatrosses across the world's oceans.





full story:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=143&art_id=vn20040308082446315C363645&
set_id=1 
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