Wednesday, October 30, 2002
BirdLife International warns of the serious threat that human activity in mountainous regions poses to mountain birdlife. The combined pressures of tourism, hunting, and farming are pushing some bird species to the brink of extinction.
Conservationists working for BirdLife International have identified 558 key areas (called Important Bird Areas or IBAs) in Europe's mountainous regions that are of particular concern. The bearded vulture, the Caucasian black grouse, and the golden eagle are amoung the threatened species found in some of these areas.
View list of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) →
BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental conservation organizations that fosters the sharing of priorities, skills, research information, and conservation objectives. With over 2.5 million members worldwide and a combined annual budget of over $263 million, BirdLife International is significant force in bird conservation and protection. The organization not only works to protect birds but also strives to conserve avian habitat and diversity while working with local peoples to encourage sustainable use of natural resources.
BirdLife Interantional's current efforts to protect mountain birdlife has been launched in conjunction with the International Year of the Mountains, an organization that promotes the conservation and sustainable development of mountain regions, thereby ensuring the well-being of mountain and lowland communities. International Year of the Mountains was established in response to the UN General Assembly's 1998 declaration that 2002 was the International Year of the Mountains.
References:
- Kirby, A. Mountain birdlife 'under threat'. BBC News. 29 October 2002.
- Kirby, A. Why mountains matter. BBC News 29 October 2002.
