International: New UN-report warns of worsening decline of migratory species

A new interim report on the State of the World’s Migratory Species indicates that the situation for migratory wildlife is continuing to deteriorate. According to the latest assessment, 49 % of migratory species recognised as requiring international protection show declining population trends, compared with 44 % two years ago. In addition, 24 % of these species are now threatened with extinction, reflecting a growing global conservation concern. The report was prepared by researchers at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) together with partners including BirdLife International and the University of Queensland. It provides an update to the first global assessment of migratory species published in 2024 and analyses new data on population trends, conservation status and the protection of key migratory habitats. The findings come ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15), scheduled to take place in Brazil in March. Because migratory species move across national borders and depend on networks of habitats along their routes, their conservation requires coordinated international governance and effective legal protection. From the perspective of animal law, ethics and One Health, the report highlights the importance of strengthening cross-border legal frameworks, improving habitat protection and addressing threats such as habitat loss, overexploitation and climate change. Migratory species play important ecological roles, including pollination, nutrient transport and ecosystem regulation. Ensuring their protection therefore remains a key challenge at the intersection of biodiversity conservation, environmental governance and ethical responsibility toward wildlife.