Considering its grim current global status, a group of young ornithologists in Bangladesh took up the challenge to save the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper in 2009, when they began the Bangladesh Spoon-billed Sandpiper Conservation Project (BSCP).
Their surveys confirmed that Bangladesh is an extremely important wintering ground for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, and identified Sonadia Island (near Cox’s Bazar) as the key wintering site and Domar Char as a stopover (passage) site in the country. In Sonadia Island, they found evidence of shorebird hunting. From September 2010, a series of surveys were conducted to identify hunters and alternative livelihood options for them on Sonadia Island. The BSCP signed conservation agreements with 25 active shorebird hunters on the island in October-December 2011. Resources were provided for alternative livelihood options including fishing boats, nets, livestock, and equipment for watermelon cultivation, and grocery and tailor shops.
This photo feature tells the conservation story. See detailed article in the case studies section.
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Chosen as 'Picture of the Week'
See a photo-feature of a successful conservation campaign to stop hunting of one of the world's rarest birds in Bangladesh.