Preventing Extinctions - Middle East

Northern Bald Ibis. Photo: Jean-Paul Tilly, www.theworldsrarest.com

Since 2008, BirdLife International’s Preventing Extinctions Programme has taken action for over 500 (40%) of the world’s threatened bird species, including 59 species considered Critically Endangered and at imminent risk of extinction. BirdLife is the global Red List authority on the threat status of birds, and has an unrivalled combination of sound science and practical experience, which is constantly refined, updated and shared throughout the BirdLife Partnership.

While the Middle East does not have the sheer natural diversity of other areas of the world, it has many species found nowhere else, and is crucial for migrating birds moving between Europe and Africa. But the same threats that are present around the world are impacting on the Middle East's birds, and of the 619 bird species recorded in the Middle East, 33 are considered threatened, including five that are Critically Endangered.

BirdLife aims to improve the conservation status of all the world's birds, not just those considered threatned. Many once widespread and numerous species are also declining and disappearing from parts of their ranges, and we are working locally, nationally and across the region to keep these common bird common.

The Middle East Partnership is focusing on two Critically Endangered species within the region:  Northern Bald Ibis and  Sociable Lapwing

We have been involved in the protection and management of the tiny colony of Northern Bald Ibis near Palmyra, Syria, following its discovery in 2002, with the support of Partners in range states, RSPB (BirdLife in the UK), and a strategic partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

The Partnership is also working to conserve the globally vulnerable Syrian Serin, with dedicated activities in its range states of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

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