Flamingo mortality due to collision with high tension electric wires in Gujarat, India

Main Article Content

A. Tere
B.M. Parasharya

Abstract

This study documents the mortality of flamingos due to collision with electric wires in the state of Gujarat, India. The wetlands of Gujarat were surveyed from 2002 to 2005 as a part of ecological studies on flamingos. Incidences of collision of flamingos with overhead electric wires were recorded at breeding and feeding sites. The numbers of victim birds were counted and high risk sites were identified based on reported incidences of collision and the period of inundation of the sites below electric lines. Of the 76 deaths recorded, Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor (46%) and Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus (54%) accounted almost equally. The effects of collision on the population of flamingos and the management options to minimize collision of flamingos and other water birds with electric lines in sensitive habitats are discussed.

Article Details

Section
Communications
Author Biographies

A. Tere

Dr. Anika Tere has worked on ‘Ecology of Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus and Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor on wetlands of Gujarat’ during 2002 to 2005 and earned her PhD Thesis from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, India. Besides flamingos, she has interest in avian ecology, wetland ecology and faunal diversity inventory in general. At present she is a lecturer at M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara. She has also contributed to the formulation of Global Conservation Action Plan for Lesser Flamingos.

B.M. Parasharya

Dr. B. M. Parasharya is a field ornithologist. He worked on the ecology of Western Reef Heron and other coastal birds for his doctorate degree and earned the same from Saurashtra University in 1984. At Anand Agricultural University, focus of his research is management of crop depredatory birds, insect & rodent predators and conservation of birds in agricultural landscape. Besides research and teaching, he has also guided students in areas like avian ecology as well as spider and butterfly diversity. He has done pioneering work on the ecology of Western Reef Heron, Indian Sarus Crane and Lesser Flamingo. He has also contributed to the formulation of Global Conservation Action Plan for Lesser Flamingos. He has special interest in wetland ecology.