A new report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has revealed that two species of birds of prey have been classified as extinct in North Africa: the monk vulture (Aegypius monachus) and the Spanish royal eagle (Aquila adalberti), which have not been seen. In the area for decades.

These two birds are added to the sad sparrowhawk (metabates Melierax), whose extinction was confirmed in 2007.

The report - which was issued on November 30, which is the first assessment of the condition of birds of prey in North Africa - also counted the presence of 46 birds of prey, 16 species of which are threatened with extinction, while 10 species were excluded because they are migratory and seasonal birds.

The report is the first assessment of the state of birds of prey in North Africa (IUCN)

Illegal trade and poaching

The report considered that among the direct causes of the extinction of birds of prey in North Africa are poaching and illegal trade, in addition to exposure to high pressure electric shocks during their movement, which are factors that directly cause the death of these species.

As for the indirect causes that do not cause its death, but rather contribute to limiting its reproduction, they are many, such as the loss of homes and places of life to which they are accustomed, or the reduction in the number and areas of wet areas frequented, especially for migratory birds, or eating the meat of prey whose food was mixed with herbs. Insecticides, which affect their reproduction.

The authors of the report did not rule out the possibility of other reasons that they could not address due to the lack of accurate data and statistics in the North African region, which lacks information on the whereabouts of birds of prey, their numbers and even their sizes. This lack of information negatively affects the preparation of conservation strategies.

In the press release issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature on November 30, Hicham Zefzaf, the scientific program coordinator of the Tunisian Birds Friends Association, said, "Despite the lack of information about birds of prey, it is certain that they have become vulnerable to extinction, and the application of strategies to preserve them is very necessary to save and preserve them." It also affects the ecosystems in which they live and play a role in preserving them.”

The new report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature confirms the extinction of the Spanish royal eagle from North Africa (Getty Images)

prey and maintain ecological balance

Birds of prey have a major role in maintaining the ecological balance, and they provide multiple environmental services for the benefit of humans, such as combating wild rats and eliminating the remains of dead animals, hence the importance of preserving them.

"Good knowledge of the importance of birds of prey and their great role in preserving ecosystems will contribute to raising awareness of the need to prepare and implement strategies to limit their extinction," said Antonio Troya, Director of the Cooperation Center in the Mediterranean branch of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The spokesman added, "We are required to direct our attention to these species, which did not receive much attention in the past and live in a critical situation, and we must urgently direct our attention to them."

For his part, Fabrice Cousin - from the International Union for Conservation of Nature - said, "We will focus our attention in the future on determining the locations of these species' existence and breeding, to follow their development and to determine the full causes of their extinction, and this is in order to prepare practical plans to preserve them."