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Hawking for Nighthawks

10,000 Birds

Scores of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks circled overhead, these vocal ducks are often hunted illegally here so it was refreshing to see so many. Both are direct results of the pet trade. The two Old World species mentioned here were imported and sold as pets – but were often released as neither species were competent singers.

Livestock 213
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Africa’s endangered species

10,000 Birds

This species prefers wetlands and its numbers have been decimated due to a combination of habitat destruction caused by human population growth and illegal removal of birds and eggs from the wild for the pet and zoo trade. Habitat destruction, hunting and disturbance are further factors affecting the population.