Half of all migratory species that are recognised as needing protection now have declining populations

A new report warns that 49 per cent of migratory species recognised by the world’s governments as needing protection have declining populations, up from 44 per cent two years ago. Species threatened by extinction have also risen, to 24 per cent from 22 previously.

The data has been published in an interim report, which provides an update to the landmark State of the World’s Migratory Species. The State of the World’s Migratory Species report was the first comprehensive assessment of migratory species and was released in 2024.

The new warnings come ahead of the global Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15), which starts in Brazil on 23 March and is one of the most important global meetings for wildlife conservation.

The interim report was developed with the Convention on Migratory Species by conservation scientists at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and other contributors, including BirdLife International, researchers at the University of Queensland and the Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM). Based on the latest data, it tracks significant changes in the conservation status of migratory species and highlights emerging population trends​, as well as recent progress in identifying and protecting critical habitats and migratory pathways.

The next State of the World’s Migratory Species report, due in 2029, will offer a comprehensive global view of how the situation for migratory species and their critical sites have changed since the 2024 baseline. Leveraging advances in technology and data availability, the report will provide deeper insights into the emerging threats, challenges and opportunities for the conservation of migratory species.

Like several other CMS-listed shorebirds, the CMS Appendix I-listed buff-breasted sandpiper has recently been recategorized from Near Threatened to Vulnerable (Image: Adobe_402858055)

Today’s interim report also reveals that:

26 CMS-listed species, including 18 migratory shorebirds have moved to higher extinction risk categories.7 CMS-listed species have improved​​, including the saiga antelope, scimitar-horned oryx​ and Mediterranean monk seal​.9,372 ​Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) important for CMS-listed species​ have been identified.47 per cent of the area covered by KBAs is not covered by protected and conserved areas​.Progress has been made to fill gaps in knowledge on important habitats and migratory routes for sharks/rays and marine mammals with the identification of hundreds of areas specifically important for CMS-listed marine species. More work is being done to identify areas for marine turtles.​Despite some important successes, key indicators – such as the overall proportion of CMS-listed species with decreasing populations – are heading in the wrong direction​.

Even more of the planet’s most mobile animals are now in decline. While many of the recommendations that we set out in the first State of the World’s Migratory Species are being acted on, an alarming number of species that previously had stable populations are decreasing. We know that recovery is possible, and we know what to do, but we need to act faster. The decisions that will be taken in Brazil later this month can still turn around the fortunes of these amazing animals. 

Kelly Malsch, Head of Conservation at UNEP-WCMC

The report underlines some encouraging developments:​

Advances in mapping of migratory pathways to inform decision-making. Initiatives to map migrations are gathering momentum.​ This includes those spotlighted in the report – the Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM), the Migratory Connectivity in the Ocean (MiCO) system, and BirdLife International’s work to identify and map six major marine flyways.Progress in identifying and safeguarding important habitats and migratory corridors.Recovery of some species through coordinated action.At monitored nesting beaches, population abundance trends of Green Turtles are generally increasing or stable (Image: Adobe_536146467)

This focussed update provides Parties with the latest available evidence ahead of CMS COP15 deliberations, helping to identify priority areas for action in advance of the next full report in 2029 at COP16.

Overexploitation, and habitat loss and fragmentation, are the two greatest threats to migratory species worldwide.

The first global report was a wake-up call. This interim update shows that the alarm is still sounding. Some species are responding to concerted conservation action, but too many continue to face mounting pressures across their migratory routes. We must respond to this evidence with coordinated and effective international action. 

Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive SecretaryBuilding on a landmark baseline

The 2024 State of the World’s Migratory Species report marked the first comprehensive global assessment of migratory animals, covering the 1,189 species listed at that time in CMS Appendices I and II and its analysis linked to over 3,000 additional migratory species.

It found that:

70 CMS-listed species had become more endangered over the previous three decades, compared to just 14 that improved in status.Migratory fish populations had declined by 90% on average since the 1970s and 97% of CMS-listed migratory fish species face extinction.More than half of Key Biodiversity Areas important for CMS-listed species lacked protected status.

UNEP-WCMC looks forward to continuing this important work by supporting the delivery of the next State of the World’s Migratory Species report to ensure that governments at CMS COP16 have the best scientific information before them.

Main image: Adobe_273607491