One in five species faces extinction, says migration report – 'wake-up call for nature'

Billions of animals travel thousands of kilometers every year, on land, in oceans and the skies, battling predators, extreme weather, exhaustion and humans, just to feed and breed. But many of these migratory species, including some of the most iconic on the planet such as turtles and sharks, are in peril.

The shocking findings are from the first-ever State of the World's Migratory Species report by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a UN biodiversity treaty.

The report says one in five CMS-listed species are threatened with extinction and just under half are suffering population declines. It adds that the extinction risk is growing for migratory species globally, including those not even listed under the CMS. The ambition is identifying urgent conservation priorities and encouraging regional and international cooperation.

"Migratory species are a shared natural treasure, and their survival is a shared conservation responsibility that transcends national boundaries," said Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary. "This landmark report will help underpin much-needed policy actions to ensure that migratory species continue to traverse the world's skies, lands, oceans, lakes and rivers."

WHAT IS ANIMAL MIGRATION?

Migration is animals traveling from one habitat to another in search of food, better conditions, or reproduction. It happens seasonally and involves a return journey. 

For example, humpback whales head to feeding grounds near the polar ice in the summer and migrate back to warmer waters to raise their calves. Other animals migrate because of the climate or seasons. Monarch butterflies would die in freezing temperatures, so fly from Canada to Mexico during the winter.

WHAT IS UNDER THREAT?

The main focus of the report is the 1,189 animal species recognized by CMS Parties (**see footnote below) as needing international protection and are listed under CMS. It also features analysis linked to over 3,000 additional non-CMS migratory species currently lacking international protection.

Over the last 30 years, 70 CMS-listed migratory species – including the steppe eagle, Egyptian vulture and the wild camel – have become more endangered. This contrasts with just 14 listed species that now have an improved conservation status. The blue and humpback whales and the white-tailed sea eagle are on this list.

A massively concerning statistic from the world's waters is that nearly all CMS-listed species of fish (97 percent) – including migratory sharks, rays and sturgeons – are facing a high risk of extinction, with their populations declining by 90 percent since the 1970s.

HOW ARE THEY BEING THREATENED?

Migratory species rely on a variety of specific habitats at different times in their lifecycles. On their journeys, they face huge challenges and threats, as well at their destinations where they breed or feed. When species cross national borders, their survival depends on the efforts of all countries in which they are found, the report states.

Two big threats are identified affecting CMS-listed and all migratory species. Three out of four CMS-listed species are impacted by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation from activities such as agriculture and the expansion of transport and energy infrastructure. 

Seven out of 10 CMS-listed species are impacted by overexploitation (including intentional taking as well as incidental capture) which includes unsustainable hunting, overfishing and the capture of non-target animals such as in fisheries.

Climate change, pollution and invasive species are also having significant impacts on migratory species.

The report also investigated how many migratory species are at-risk but not covered by the Convention. It found 399 migratory species – mainly birds and fish, including many albatrosses and perching birds, ground sharks and stingrays – are categorized as threatened or near-threatened, but are not yet CMS-listed.

DID YOU KNOW?

Arctic terns fly pole to pole in search of warmth, migrating around 40,000 kilometers a year, although a recent study suggests they might fly double this distance.

WHY DO MIGRATORY ANIMALS MATTER?

Billions of animals are on the move every year. This covers whales and sharks in our oceans, elephants, wild cats, and herds of hooved species crossing plains and deserts, raptors, waterbirds and songbirds flying through the skies, and even insects such as butterflies.

With these incredible journeys connecting countries and regions, the report says migratory species can help us understand the scale of the changes affecting our world. They an "essential role in maintaining the world's ecosystems," and provide "vital benefits, by pollinating plants, transporting key nutrients, preying on pests, and helping to store carbon." 

Fraenkel said: "In addition to the many economic benefits and the reliance that people have on migratory species, there are also sources of tourism of economic benefit. I think about elephants, lions and whale watching. They  are some of the most iconic species on the planet. People might not realize that these species are listed under CMS, like the jaguar, lion, gorillas, chimpanzees, sea turtles or the great whales and dolphins. They are incredibly important in the world and the idea that we could lose these species is really a wake-up call."

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was established in 1979 and its number one mission is pushing for international cooperation to help conserve these animals. 

Its ambition is to "bring countries and stakeholders together to agree on the actions needed to ensure these species survive and thrive."

Fraenkel said "urgent action" is needed to prevent the extinction of certain species. The report provided a set of priority recommendations for action:

• Tackling illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species

• Improve identification, protection and connection and better manage important sites for migratory species

• Urgently address those species in most danger of extinction, including nearly all CMS-listed fish species

• Tackle climate change, as well as light, noise, chemical and plastic pollution

• Consider expanding CMS listings to include more at-risk migratory species

International cooperation is vital for conservation, said Fraenkel, with a need to focus on environmental and climate change and a call to action for governments, the private sector and other actors.

Fraenkel added: "Migratory species face enormous challenges and threats along the way, as well at their destinations where they breed or feed. When species cross national borders, their survival depends on the efforts of all countries in which they are found. 

"This landmark report will help underpin much-needed policy actions to ensure that migratory species continue to thrive around the world.”

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ANY POSITIVE NEWS?

It isn't all doom and gloom for the traveling animal community. The report also has evidence of population and species-wide recoveries as a result of policy change and positive action.

Examples include coordinated local action, such as a reduction of illegal bird netting by 91 percent in Cyprus, and an integrated conservation and restoration project in Kazakhstan that has led to the Saiga antelope returning from the brink of extinction.

Kelly Malsch, report author and head of nature conserved at UNEP-WCMC, said "The Saiga antelope is a species that has seen really remarkable recoveries in the last two decades. The population was down to 50,000 and now it's closer to two million. This is a fantastic success story in Kazakhstan and elsewhere in Central Asia. 

"This happened through dedicated action from people helping that species, restoring its habitat, protecting its habitat and removing the threat to the antelopes. Worldwide migratory species are in decline, but there is hope if we act now to protect, connect, and restore species populations and their habitats."

MOVING FORWARD WITH COP14 

For the sake of these hundreds of threatened species, it is hoped more good news will come from the UN wildlife conservation conference (CMS COP14) this week in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

It is the first COP of any global environmental treaty to take place in Central Asia, a region home to many migratory species such as the Saiga antelope, snow leopard and many migratory birds. 

Governments, wildlife organizations and scientists are meeting to consider actions to advance implementation of the Biodiversity Plan. This migratory report will hopefully help steer conversations and policy debate.

"This report is a significant step forward in the development of a conservation roadmap for migratory species," said Inger Andersen, UN under-secretary-general and and executive director, UN Environment Programme. 

"Given the precarious situation of many of these animals, and their critical role for healthy and well-functioning ecosystems, we must not miss this chance to act – starting now by urgently implementing the recommendations set out in this report."

** Prepared for CMS by conservation scientists at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, the CMS State of the World's Migratory Species report uses data and contributions from institutions including BirdLife International, International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Zoological Society of London

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