CMS Report Warns of Declining Migratory Species and Rising Extinction Risk

A new global report under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) highlights a significant decline in migratory wildlife populations.

• The interim report comes ahead of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 15), to be held from March 23 in Campo Grande, Brazil. 
• The 2024 State of World’s Migratory Species was the first comprehensive global assessment of migratory animals covering 1,189 CMS-listed species, and its analysis linked to over 3,000 additional migratory species.

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Key Highlights:

• 49% of migratory species populations are declining.
• 24% of species are facing extinction.
• Out of 1,189 species listed under CMS, about 582 species show population decline.
  • In the last two years:
    • The risk of population decline increased by 5%.
    • Extinction risk increased by 2%. 
• Major Threats to Migratory Species: 
  • According to CMS:
    • Overexploitation (hunting, fishing, trade).
    • Habitat loss and fragmentation.
    • Infrastructure barriers such as roads, railways, fences, and pipelines.
    • Disease outbreaks like avian influenza.
• Impact of H5N1: the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has been detected in an unusually broad host range of birds and mammals, 
  • Affected species include:
    • African Penguin
    • Humboldt Penguin
    • Peruvian Pelican
    • Red-Crowned Crane
• IUCN Data: The report tracked changes in conservation status of migratory species and highlighted emerging trends based on data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of threatened species, and population trends and changes in extinction risk documented in scientific literature.

About CMS

• CMS also known as the Bonn Convention, is an international environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

• Commenced on: It came into force on November 1, 1983.
• Parties: As of 1 March 2022, the Convention on Migration Species has 133 parties.
  • Several countries, although not party to the convention, are party to one or more of the Agreements and have signed one or more of the MoUs.
• Aim: To conserve migratory species of wild animals and their habitats throughout their ranges.
  • To collaborate among various states (countries where the species lives) to develop and implement conservation plans.

Appendices under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

• CMS has two appendices that classify migratory species based on their conservation status and required international cooperation.
• Appendix I – Endangered Migratory Species
  • Includes species threatened with extinction.
  • Total species: 188
    • 28 terrestrial mammals
    • 23 aquatic mammals
    • 103 birds
    • 8 reptiles
    • 26 fish
  • Examples of Appendix I Species Found in India
    • Great Indian Bustard
    • Asian Elephant
    • Bengal Florican
    • Siberian Crane
    • Hawksbill Sea Turtle
    • Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
    • Leatherback Sea Turtle
• Appendix 2: Migratory species that have an unfavourable conservation status and require international conservation and management agreements.
• Obligations for Range States:
  • Provide strict protection to listed species.
  • Prohibit hunting or capturing of these species.
  • Conserve and restore habitats.
  • Remove obstacles to migration and address threats affecting migration routes.

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