Far Eastern Curlew gets its own task force.

At a recent meeting of partners MOP8 of the East Asian-Australasian Flyways Partnership (EAAFP) in Japan a new task force was proposed for the Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, the world's largest migratory wader: which probably gained its scientific name due to an administrative error since it does not occur in Madagascar.

22/09/14 Esplanade, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

Now mostly known  as Eastern Curlew this species is facing some real challenges on its wintering grounds and especially on its migration routes and even on its breeding grounds where it is still sometimes hunted. The major problems this bird faces along with many others using the EAAF is the drastic wholesale 'reclamation' of the intertidal flats that they rely on for refuelling and resting at their stop over points on migration. If they are unable to stock up their reserves their migration can be arrested or delayed or worse still they may die of starvation. This will drastically reduce the number of birds reaching the breeding grounds in spring to breed.

22/09/14 Esplanade, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

Over the last 20 years the population has declined significantly; the biggest factor is undoubtedly the loss of habitat, but human disturbance and even hunting still take their toll.

06/11/2012 Lampakbia, Phetchaburi, Thailand.

The task force is to be chaired by Dr Mark Carey and its role is to co-ordinate the development of the International Far Eastern Curlew Action Plan by consulting with and supporting range states on identifying specific threats and actions to support the survival of Far eastern Curlew. It is also tasked with encouraging and supporting range states on the implementation of the Action Plan. The ultimate goal is to restore the species to a favourable conservation status removing it from the IUCN Red List where it is currently listed as Vulnerable (Endangered in Australia).