BirdFair to help Madagascar’s fragile wetlands
12-08-2003
Visitors to Britain’s biggest bird event, this week’s 15th annual BirdFair, will help save one of the world’s most important wildlife areas - the wetlands of Madagascar.
This huge island is home to 120 endemic species of birds and 5 endemic families. Two-thirds of the nation’s globally threatened birds are dependent on wetlands. Indeed, two of them – the Madagascar Pochard and the Alaotra Grebe – may already be extinct. Others, like the Madagascar Fish-eagle and the Sakalava Rail, are unique to the western wetlands and are classified as Critically Endangered.
Despite being highly threatened by lack of protection and unsustainable fishing, farming and deforestation, until now, Madagascar’s wetlands have not been the main focus of conservation efforts. However, this is soon about to change, with all proceeds from more than 16,000 expected ticket sales and merchandise from the BirdFair used to support BirdLife’s new Madagascar Wetland Conservation Programme.
The programme will see funds used to establish conservation projects in the Mahavavy River delta in the north-west of the country and the Mangoky river delta in the south-west. Using the BirdLife approach of involving local people in the sustainable management and economic use of their wetlands, the programme will ensure protection of these unique habitats and safeguard the future of the many endangered bird species that are found there, as well as numerous other wildlife including two endangered species of lemur, Decken’s Sifaka and the Crowned Sifaka.
"Saving the Madagascan wetlands will also safeguard human life as the whole population depends on them. To have the opportunity to help and give know-how to the population, and to preserve the wetlands with their unique and endangered wildlife, will be a dream come true." —Vony Raminoarisoa, Director, Madagascar Wetland Conservation Programme.
The near threatened Madagascar Plover is endemic to Madagascar
12-08-2003
Visitors to Britain’s biggest bird event, this week’s 15th annual BirdFair, will help save one of the world’s most important wildlife areas - the wetlands of Madagascar.
This huge island is home to 120 endemic species of birds and 5 endemic families. Two-thirds of the nation’s globally threatened birds are dependent on wetlands. Indeed, two of them – the Madagascar Pochard and the Alaotra Grebe – may already be extinct. Others, like the Madagascar Fish-eagle and the Sakalava Rail, are unique to the western wetlands and are classified as Critically Endangered.
Despite being highly threatened by lack of protection and unsustainable fishing, farming and deforestation, until now, Madagascar’s wetlands have not been the main focus of conservation efforts. However, this is soon about to change, with all proceeds from more than 16,000 expected ticket sales and merchandise from the BirdFair used to support BirdLife’s new Madagascar Wetland Conservation Programme.
The programme will see funds used to establish conservation projects in the Mahavavy River delta in the north-west of the country and the Mangoky river delta in the south-west. Using the BirdLife approach of involving local people in the sustainable management and economic use of their wetlands, the programme will ensure protection of these unique habitats and safeguard the future of the many endangered bird species that are found there, as well as numerous other wildlife including two endangered species of lemur, Decken’s Sifaka and the Crowned Sifaka.
"Saving the Madagascan wetlands will also safeguard human life as the whole population depends on them. To have the opportunity to help and give know-how to the population, and to preserve the wetlands with their unique and endangered wildlife, will be a dream come true." —Vony Raminoarisoa, Director, Madagascar Wetland Conservation Programme.
The near threatened Madagascar Plover is endemic to Madagascar
