Samarkand – At the start of the UN wildlife conservation conference (CMS COP14) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) made history by releasing the first-ever “State of the World’s Migratory Species” report. The conclusions of the survey, which was published on February 12, highlight the vulnerable status of migratory species around the world, with one-fifth of them on the verge of extinction and nearly half experiencing population decreases.
A startling 97% of fish species on the CMS list are in danger of going extinct, the report states, highlighting the pressing need for global action to address the underlying factors contributing to their decline. The main causes of species endangerment have been identified as human actions, such as overexploitation and habitat loss, with invasive species, pollution, and climate change exacerbating the risks to migratory animals.
The report’s primary focus is on the 1,189 animal species classified under CMS that CMS Parties have recognized as needing international protection, while it also includes analysis related to more than 3,000 other non-CMS migratory species.
Seven out of ten CMS-listed species are affected by overexploitation, while three out of four species are affected by habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. The CMS does not yet list 399 migratory species that are threatened or close to extinction worldwide.
Of the species on the CMS list, over one in five (22%) are in danger of going extinct. 58% of the monitored sites identified as being important for CMS-listed species are under unsustainable levels of human-caused pressure, and half (51%) of the Key Biodiversity Areas identified as vital for migratory animals on the CMS list do not have protected status.
The research underlined the urgent need for further conservation efforts to ensure the survival of migratory animals, even though favorable trends were noted for some species, such as blue and humpback whales. The report’s urgent suggestions include prioritizing climate change mitigation techniques, increasing protected areas for migratory habitats, and stepping up efforts to stop the illegal wildlife trafficking.
The report’s publication comes as CMS COP14, a crucial meeting of governments, wildlife organizations, and scientists, gets underway with the goal of promoting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s implementation. For the region’s many migratory species, such as the Saiga Antelope and Snow Leopard, the meeting is especially important as it is the first COP of any international environmental convention to be held in Central Asia.
Seventy CMS-listed migratory species, including as the wild camel, Egyptian vulture, and steppe eagle, have become increasingly vulnerable in the last three decades. In comparison, only 14 listed species, such as the black-faced spoonbill, the white-tailed sea eagle, and blue and humpback whales, now have a better conservation status.
The “State of the World’s Migratory Species” study, according to conservation experts, is a strong demand for coordinated international action to stop the decline of migratory species and protect the priceless ecological services they offer. The report’s suggestions provide a roadmap for guaranteeing the long-term survival of Earth’s migratory species as governments and stakeholders come together to map out a course for biodiversity protection.
In order to feed and breed, billions of animals migrate every year across continents, national borders, and the oceans. Some of these animals will travel thousands of miles.
According to CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel, migratory species depend on a range of distinct habitats at various stages of their life cycles.
“They regularly travel, sometimes thousands of miles, to reach these places. They face enormous challenges and threats along the way, as well at their destinations where they breed or feed. When species cross national borders, their survival depends on the efforts of all countries in which they are found. This landmark report will help underpin much-needed policy actions to ensure that migratory species continue to thrive around the world,” said Fraenkel.
Since the Convention’s 1979 ratification, 133 Parties from Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania have joined.
