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| The Wedge Tailed Eagle (Aquila Audax) Australia's largest Raptor is found throughout Australia, Tasmania and the Southern parts of New Guinea |
Image courtesy of JJ
Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) [CC BY-SA 3.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
Much of
what needs to be done to ensure the survival of Raptors, needs to happen at the level of government
as for instance, setting aside prime habitat and making sure that it is
monitored and protected. Cooperation between regions and governments is also
important especially with regard to migratory species.Unfortunately,
the Memoranda of Understanding regarding Migratory Birds and Raptors is not
binding and many countries, especially countries with the most species such as
China and Russia, are not yet signatories.
Despite
this, great strides have been made, identifying hotspots and major problems, improving
law enforcement, especially with regard killing, taking and trading of Raptors
– now the third largest international crime category after illegal sales of arms and narcotics, by training more officers, increasing penalties and conducting more
research. The EU is currently considering the banning of lead shot and lead fishing
weights in wetlands – another source of Raptor decline. Such meetings
raise awareness and provide excellent role models for other countries, whether
they are members or not.
All Raptors in Australia are protected and may not be shot or traded. Currently the
penalties are up to $210,000 or ten years in prison for attempting to smuggle
or trade wildlife, not just birds of prey.
With respect to utility poles and the like, in addition to those
innovations already mentioned in the previous post, sheathing, bundling, insulating wires,
increasing the space between them or placing them underground, would all help to
reduce Raptor mortality. Sometimes such
structures can even help. I read recently that Telstra is allowing its redundant
telegraph poles on the treeless Nullabor Plain to remain in situ for use by Raptors, but other companies have yet to follow
suit.
Controlling and monitoring the use of poisons and destructive pest control remain problems.
Landowners
have a special responsibility in that regard, as well as in maintaining habitat and breeding places. Instead of rewarding landowners with tax
breaks for clearing land, perhaps they should instead be rewarded for good
environmental practices such as preserving habitat and flyways, for creating
buffer zones and protecting nesting sites. This would benefit not only Raptors but other species as well, including domesticated stock. Successful land management and pest control
strategies could be shared with other farmers via the media and trade shows.
Rather than seeing this as a burden, some enlightened farmers are seeing
opportunities in eco –tourism.
Given that only 20% of Tasmania’s prime Raptor territory is on Crown land or in reserves,covenants over valuable habitat on private land such as we have to a limited extent in Tasmania, may be a workable option, especially in poorer regions. Read the full report by Dr. Penny Olsen at Birdlife. org. for more information.
Given that only 20% of Tasmania’s prime Raptor territory is on Crown land or in reserves,covenants over valuable habitat on private land such as we have to a limited extent in Tasmania, may be a workable option, especially in poorer regions. Read the full report by Dr. Penny Olsen at Birdlife. org. for more information.
As far as
individuals go, membership of, donation to or volunteering with groups such as
Birdlife Australia, Landcare, Bushcare and Coastcare will encourage the preservation
and restoration of Raptor habitat. Aussies can click here
to find a group near you. Getting other stakeholders on board such as Rock
climbers in the case of Sea Eagles, is important too. A minor relocation of some activities, or fencing
off critical areas, may make a big difference. Hunters and
fishers can help too by switching to non -lead bullets and sinkers and by reporting
violations.
If you see
illegal shooting, trapping or persecution of Raptors, this should be reported
to local Wildlife Officers or Police. Should you find injured birds, take them to
your nearest rescue centre for care and rehabilitation. Refuges and sanctuaries have an additional
role to play in educating the public and may even offer tours. Some of the main
ones in Australia are listed below, although there are national, regional and
international bodies who care about Raptors as well, though they are too numerous to list here.
Meanwhile, October is National Raptor Month.
Watch out for the International Raptor Conference in Bali between 10 -11.th Several countries are also offering Raptor Tours. I have no idea about the quality of these, but provided that the Raptors themselves are not harmed in the process, it is another way to heighten awareness as well as raising funds for their protection.
Raptor sanctuaries in Australia (not in any particular order).
Raptor Refuge,
Tasmania or call 1800727867
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