Waterfowl

A natural depression that was converted into a wetland and water fowl refuge in the 1700s by the then rulers of Bharatpur, Keoladeo National Park has established itself as one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in the world. But despite its elevated status and the protection afforded to it, the park has not been without its problems. This illustrated report is based on the findings of a ten-year ecology study of Keoladeo National Park undertaken by the Bombay Natural History Society between 1980 and 1990.

This title presents an overview of the uses and developments of the African Waterfowl Census, illustrates the usefulness of biological data to the implementation of international conventions and agreements, summarises other international waterbird conservation initiatives, and overviews each national effort within Africa. From this, a preliminary strategy for applied programmes for waterbird monitoring in Africa is proposed.

Cranes, a flagship species of waterbirds, have great cultural significance - especially the Siberian Crane. Yet, even after decades of conservation efforts, cranes remain threatened with 11 species at risk. To help reverse these trends, the UNEP/GEF Siberian Crane Wetland Project  was the first project to its kind to take a "flyway" approach to conservation, looking to secure the ecological integrity of a network of 16 critical wetlands in Eurasia.