Azernews.Az

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has decided to add 40 new species to the list of animals granted international protection, AzerNEWS reports.

The decision was made during the COP15 summit held in the city of Campo Verde, Brazil, attended by representatives from 132 countries and the European Union.

The updated list includes both terrestrial and aquatic species, such as the polar owl (Bubo scandiacus), the endangered Hudson sandpiper (Limosa haemastica), and the giant hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran). Additionally, the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) have been granted protected status.

Under the provisions of the CMS, participating countries are required to protect listed species, preserve and restore their habitats, remove obstacles to migration, and coordinate conservation efforts internationally.

According to data presented at the conference, nearly 49% of species listed in the CMS are declining in number, and almost a quarter face the risk of extinction.

Special attention at COP15 was given to migratory freshwater fish, whose populations are declining rapidly. In some cases, these populations are at risk of collapse, according to an international assessment published during the summit.

The main threats to migratory species include habitat destruction, overfishing, and water pollution, affecting ecosystems from the Amazon Basin to European rivers, including the Danube.

The conference took place in the Pantanal, one of the world’s largest wetlands, renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and as a critical refuge for countless migratory species. Experts highlighted that protecting these habitats is not only vital for wildlife but also for maintaining the health of global ecosystems and the services they provide to human populations.