DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A broad range of threats – the Big five – of habitat loss and fragmentation, overharvest- ing, pollution including noise, climate change and introduction of invasive species all provide major threats to the world’s migratory species.

Migratory species are so much more vulnerable to changes in their ecosystems, because they depend on a complex ecological network to exist. These points, hubs, passages, corridors and critical sites where they aggregate to feed, breed, rest and repro- duce are vital to them. As has been demonstrated in this report, and overwhelmingly in peer-reviewed scientific studies, migra- tory species require dedicated collaboration among all the coun- tries of the world to secure their ecological networks, as well as protection of the animals themselves against exploitation. There have been over 6,000 peer-reviewed biological research papers including the term “migratory” in just the last two decades (ISI Web of Science, November 2011), and hundreds of thousands of additional reports. Continued monitoring and additional re- search is very important for mitigation and conservation.

However, there already exists substantial and sufficient knowledge to decisively determine that full global compliance and collaboration are needed if these species are to survive. The dramatic declines in many populations, including whales, ungulates and birds is evidence enough of the very serious situation facing migratory species if urgent action is not taken.

To ensure their survival extensive international collaboration is required. A single country alone cannot secure the survival

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of a transboundary migratory species. It requires collabora- tion on the protection, management, harvest and law enforce- ment, as many of these species, which aggregate in certain sites are particularly vulnerable to overharvesting and poach- ing. The rapid rise in the international illegal trade in live ani- mals, horns, tusks, bones, fur, wool and other products will also need a dedicated enforcement effort, including from IN- TERPOL and its member countries, as national laws in most cases are already in place. Furthermore, the continued loss of habitats, as well as the construction of barriers such as roads, or intensive traffic or shipping in their migration corridors, cannot be managed by any single country for a transboundary migratory, species. When such development projects endan- ger transboundary species it is a concern for the entire inter- national community.

An alert system should be put in place to notify both parties and non-parties alike of particular emerging threats, such as when development projects or harvest practices particularly en- danger major critical populations or locations. It remains the responsibility of all countries, both parties and non-parties to ensure that migratory species receive the necessary protection. This cannot be done without addressing their full ecological networks on an international basis.