CRISIS IN THE SKIES AFRICA’S RAPTORS ON THE BRINK
A concerning reality looms over Africa’s iconic raptor species, including the secretarybird, Wahlberg’s eagle, African harrier-hawk, and the brown snake eagle. Recent findings by an international research team reveal a looming extinction crisis for these magnificent birds across the African savanna. Led by Dr Phil Shaw from the Centre for Biological Diversity at the University of St Andrews and Dr Darcy Ogada from The Peregrine Fund, the study analysed decades of road surveys across four African regions: West Africa (Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali), Central Africa (northern Cameroon), Kenya in East Africa, and Botswana in the south. Alarmingly, 90% of 42 raptor species studied showed significant declines, with more than two-thirds potentially facing global threats. Larger raptor species suffered the most, especially in unprotected areas vulnerable to human
activities. The data underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts, especially considering that only 14% of African land enjoys formal protection. At the same time, the region experiences severe land degradation. The conversion of extensive forest and savannah areas into farmland since the 1970s exacerbates threats to African raptors. With the projected doubling of the human population in the next 35 years, expanding Africa’s protected area network becomes imperative. Dr Ogada emphasises the multifaceted threats facing these birds, leading to what seems like a slow extinction. Even species categorised as ‘Least Concern’ previously, such as Wahlberg’s eagle and African harrier-hawk, now face becoming threatened. The study initially focusing on West Africa revealed the urgent need for habitat conservation. Efforts must align with the Convention on Biological Diversity’s
Secretarybird - Credit: Darcy Ogada
COP15 goal of expanding conservation areas to 30% by 2030. The call for action includes habitat restoration in unprotected areas, enhanced species protection legislation, and increased public involvement in conservation efforts. Despite the grim outlook, the study has prompted positive action through initiatives like the African Raptor Leadership Grant, supporting emerging African scientists like Joan Banda from
Zimbabwe. Her research on the illegal owl trade in Nigeria aims to understand its implications for local populations and ecosystems. Urgent and comprehensive conservation measures are imperative to secure the future of Africa’s raptors and the ecosystems they inhabit. The findings serve as a critical wake-up call, urging swift action to prevent the irreversible loss of these vital species.
SCOURING THE SANDS FOR MISSING BEETLE
A strandline beetle on one of the sandy beaches at Whiteford Point on Gower in 2019. Credit: Ben Sampson
A visit to the beach usually involves splashing about in the ocean or taking long walks along the shoreline. But researchers now want the public to stick their heads in the sand and help search for a rare critter playing hide and seek. The elusive strandline beetle ( Eurynebria complanata ), a visually striking ground beetle native to Great Britain, has been missing from the England shorelines for two decades. Last documented in 2002 at Braunton Burrows in North Devon, this species has since evaded detection, sparking concerns about its dwindling population. Named for its habitat preference along sandy beach strandlines, where it shelters under beach debris, the strandline beetle’s presence is limited primarily to a few sites on the Welsh side of the Bristol Channel. But hopes are
still alive to find the beetles along the beaches of North Devon, Cornwall, or Somerset. The beetle was formerly widespread in Kent and the West Country and Wales bordering the Severn River but is now restricted to a few sites in South Wales. There are also populations in southeast Ireland. Further afield, it is native to southern and western Europe, including various Mediterranean islands, where numbers have also declined. Buglife, an organisation dedicated to bug conservation in the UK, is currently busy with surveys in suitable habitats to determine if remnant populations persist on the English side of the Bristol Channel. They further hope to unravel the mystery behind the beetle’s disappearance from much of its historical range over the past few decades. There are, however, beliefs
that the decline is partly due to tourism and mechanical devices to clean beaches from debris. Adult beetles measure approximately 20mm, with distinctive black and sandy- coloured markings, blending seamlessly with their coastal surroundings. They spend daylight hours hidden beneath debris like driftwood and artificial items like plastic drums and fishing crates. At night, they emerge to forage on sand hoppers and other invertebrates found along the coast. The public are encouraged to support the project by reporting sightings (historic or new) of strandline beetles. If spotted, sharing photographs and observations with Buglife can help find these elusive critters and contribute valuable data to conservation efforts.
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