Press Release

World Migratory Bird Day: birds globally threatened by plastic waste

This year’s World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is celebrated under the theme; Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution. It was celebrated on the 12th October 2019 in Sehithwa facilitated by BirdLife Botswana in partnership with Department of Wildlife and National Parks, collaborating with schools in the Southern part of the Okavango (Lake Ngami region).

The World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated each year to highlight the need for conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. More than 300 registered events in more than 60 countries to mark World Migratory Bird Day 2019 will include bird festivals, education programmes, media events, bird watching trips, presentations, film screenings and a benefit concert to raise funds for international nature conservation.

Two UN wildlife treaties (The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)) and conservation organizations around the world celebrating the WMBD are calling for urgent action to stop plastic pollution by highlighting its negative effects on migratory birds.

Plastic pollution poses serious health risks to wildlife globally, affecting a wide range of species including whales, turtles, fish and birds.

Past News ;  International Vulture Awareness Day, -African Bird Club Supports Communities, -BirdLife Botswana statement on the recent vulture poisoning incident.