Priorities for bird conservation in Lesotho, southern Africa

Recent fieldwork and a literature review suggest that Lesotho has 285 confirmed and extant bird species. A further 15 species known before 1940 probably no longer occur. Population changes this century are suspected for 68 species—36 have declined and 32 have increased. One hundred and eighty-two sp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological conservation 1992, Vol.61 (3), p.159-169
Main Authors: Osborne, P.E., Tigar, B.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Aves
Biological and medical sciences
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
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Summary:Recent fieldwork and a literature review suggest that Lesotho has 285 confirmed and extant bird species. A further 15 species known before 1940 probably no longer occur. Population changes this century are suspected for 68 species—36 have declined and 32 have increased. One hundred and eighty-two species have populations below 1000 birds or are of international importance. Of these, 82 species probably breed in Lesotho and 12 more are visitors of conservation importance in southern Africa. It is suggested that these 94 species should be the basis for the country's bird conservation policies. Changes to wildlife legislation, improved conservation education and encouragement of amateur birdwatchers are suggested as initial conservation measures. Beyond this, much research and monitoring will be needed to save Lesotho's wildlife.
ISSN:0006-3207
1873-2917
DOI:10.1016/0006-3207(92)91112-6