Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, announcing the figures at the BirdLife International World Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, described the situation as shocking. But these figures are the signs of an even greater tragedy. Environmental degradation is now having a very real effect on the lives of millions of people, especially the poor and disadvantaged. Protecting the environment must become a top priority for governments and industry everywhere, to prevent these birds disappearing for ever, and even more people suffering from the destruction of the environment. Importantly our findings are showing up a wider problem beyond birds because places that are rich in birds are generally also rich for other forms of biodiversity.
Habitat destruction is the greatest problem.
With the tropical rainforests being extremely rich in bird species, and the report highlights Asia and the Americas as particularly important regions. In Malaysia there are 35 threatened bird species. 11 are listed in the Endangered category, and include well known species such as the Bearded Vulture, Saddlebilled Stork, Cape Parrot and Spotted Thrush. In the Vulnerable category there are 46, including the Bald Ibis, Tawny and Martial Eagle, Blue Crane, Kori Bustard and the African Black Oystercatcher. All species considered as threatened and near threatened will be published as the revised 'South African Red Data Book - Birds', compiled by the ADU, during 2000.