Oil Spill Threatens Migratory Birds

From the species of small-sized waders, plover to large size, whimbrel are exposed to the residue of oil spills while resting and foraging in Bali

Since those birds come in the number of thousands, that they sometimes foraging close to the settlements, such as river banks, the paddy field, the Harbour, the pond that has no legal protection equivalent to the nature reserve. often during this journey they encountered many threats, such as bad weather, lost their temporary habitat, poaching and even pollution.

Benoa Port that located in Denpasar, Bali is one of the foraging and resting location of shore birds, such as Mongolian Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Grey Plover, TGrey-tailed Tattler, Terek Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Far-eastern Curlew. On January 28, 2014, identified about twenty waders were exposed to residual oil spill. ” I had a chance capturing some waders affected by oil residue spills, either in part or whole body exposed to oil spills”, said Yuyun Yanuar Bali’s Photographer.

Based on those information, on February 4-10, 2014, Indonesian Bird Banding Scheme, Cikabayan Bird banding Club form Bogor, Bali Bird banding club, and Bali’s Conservation and Natural resources staff were trying to catch and clean all of the affected birds, then released them back.

Team was able to catch 5 individuals consist of 1 Pluvialis squatarola, 2 Charadrius leschenaultii, 1 mongolian plover, and 1 Heteroscelus brevipes with the condition of 5%. 30%, and 80% affected by the oil spills.

“It was difficult for us to catch those waders to clean up of oil spills. Those birds still can fly though their condition was 100% exposed to residual oil spill.” said Iwan Londo from anak burung bird banding club surabaya.

According to Fathur Rohman, Bali’s Conservation and Natural resources staff, ” these oil spills will be a serious threat to the sustainability of this living bird.  They clean their body by their beak, so that the oil could be ingested and can cause toxication in the body.” Oils that sticked to the bird’s plumage resulted in losing the ability  of the bird to isolate the temperatures around, Thus causing loss of body heat. If this situation still be continue, the bird could loss of appetite. We and Bali bird watcher will remain observe all of the birds that are still affected by or ones already cleaned. Said Fathur

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact:
–    Fransisca Noni : +62 817 687 9354; fransisca_noni@yahoo.com
–    Yuyun yanwar : +62 812 396 00068; yuyunyanwar@ymail.com
this information also can be read in: http://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2014/02/13/tumpahan-minyak-ancam-burung-migrasi-di-bali