BirdLife Botswana marks World Migratory Bird Day

Initiation of this day was influenced by migratory birds receiving negative media coverage as a result of the false belief that they were the main cause for the spread of bird flu. It is celebrated at the end of summer (April to May) every year when birds start to migrate to Europe as well as Central and North Africa.

Historically, people have hunted wildlife for a variety of reasons – food and sport. In the past, such activities were conducted at such a scale that was sustainable. In many cases, however, this is no longer true. This year’s theme is on the illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory birds and in Botswana, we will relate this theme to our United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facility (UNDP/GEF) – funded project, so-called Sustainable Land Management – Makgadikgadi (SLM Makgadikgadi), as this project is tackling many of the issues raised by the theme.  There is a wide range of reasons for the illegal killing, taking and trade of birds – subsistence uses, recreational activities, organised crime, traditional practices and so on.