The Slender-billed Curlew, a bird not seen since 1995, is now believed to be extinct, according to scientists.
If confirmed, it would be the first global bird extinction recorded in mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. This loss would add the species to the IUCN Red List of extinct birds, which currently includes only 164 entries.
The report, written by researchers from the RSPB, BirdLife International, Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, and the Natural History Museum, revealed a 96% probability that the species is gone forever. Nicola Crockford, a policy expert at the RSPB, called the news a devastating milestone for conservation.
The Slender-billed Curlew was last officially seen in Morocco in 1995. Scientists are unsure exactly why the bird disappeared but suspect factors like habitat loss, pollution, disease, and climate change played a role. These threats have affected the wetlands where the bird once thrived.
Dr. Alex Bond, a bird curator at the Natural History Museum, emphasised that the future for birds depends on addressing climate change and protecting natural habitats. Conservationists hope this tragic case will inspire stronger efforts to save other species at risk.
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