Human activity is threatening migratory animals worldwide. The United Nations highlighted those dangers in a summary of a recent report, “The State of Migratory Species in the World,” published by the Bonn Convention — formally the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). According to the convention’s report, 22 percent of the planet’s migratory animal species are at risk of extinction, while populations of 44 percent of these species are steadily declining. The authors of the report used data from BirdLife International, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). “The current report clearly shows us that human activities are jeopardizing the future of migratory species,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme.
Facts and Figures
Every year, billions of animals set out on migratory journeys across land, rivers, oceans, and skies. They cross borders and continents, with some traveling thousands of kilometers to feed and breed. Migratory species play a key role in global ecosystems: they pollinate plants and move nutrients across regions. Of the 1,189 animal species the CMS recognizes as needing international protection, 260 (22 percent) are at risk of extinction and 520 (44 percent) are experiencing population declines. Among the 260 endangered species, 68 are in the most critical condition, according to the IUCN Red List.
Earth’s Unique Fauna at Risk
The hawksbill turtle is one species facing extinction. This creature, known for its sharp beak and serrated, colorful shell, migrates through the world’s tropical waters. Historically, humans have hunted this species, the Daily Mail reported.
Conservationists are especially worried about fish such as sturgeons, rays, and sharks. Overall, 97 percent of the fish species listed by the CMS are at risk of extinction. The hammerhead shark, which migrates through deep waters until it reaches adulthood, is among those at highest risk because poachers target it for its valuable fins.
On land, the spiral-horned antelope that inhabits the Sahara Desert needs greater protection. The report says many animals’ migrations are blocked by man-made barriers like bridges and roads. These physical obstacles cut the chances of successful migration and, consequently, reduce the likelihood of survival. Industrial development and shipping create non-physical barriers that also present major obstacles for migratory populations.
Other drivers of species decline include pollution from pesticides, plastics, and heavy metals, as well as light pollution and underwater noise.
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is an international agreement signed in 1979 in Bonn, Germany. The convention aims to protect migratory species that travel by land, sea, or air, and to conserve the habitats they depend on along migration routes.
