- Main Page
Aleksander Jakovlev* (Issyk-Kul State Reserve of, 31, Gagarin Street Ananyevo 722324 Kyrgyzstan. issyk-kol@infotel.kg)
During the decade 1991 - 2000, the author has counted Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus) in Kyrgyzstan. A comparison with studies made in the fifties and eighties (Kydraliev A. 1991) reveals the fact that their numbers have declined by no less than 90 per cent in 30 to 35 years. Less than one tenth of the population survive today - too few to guarantee natural recovery.
These results are confirmed by censuses of wintering Bar-headed Geese in China (Bischof M. 1997), India (Gole P 1987 and Salim A. 1961) and Pakistan (Roberts T. 1991). Also studies by M. Orgive (1978) andothers are in accordance with our observation of a catastrophic development during the last decades.
Since 1970, the government of Kyrgyzstan introduced protection measures - including a re-stocking pilot project in 1995 (led by the author, see Jakovlev A. 1997 and 1998). The modest success of these measures proves that there is no way to solve this international problem inside the borders of one country only. We are fighting for the survival of a species on a global level!
The international scientific and nature conservation Community must become aware of these facts immediately. A strategy of action must be made up in order to start strong multinational efforts to revive the bar-headed Goose in all of its former habitats.
Below, we present three photos from Kyrgyzstan and some of the numerical data.
Muutonseurantalähettimellä varustettu tiibetinhanhi (Max Planck Instituutin projekti. Kuva n. v. 1995)
Alexander Jakovlevin tutkimusryhmä
Year
1958
400
680
120
1962
520
590
1964
70
1965
270
600
1967
260
1968
90
1969
120
410
1971
40
250
1972
60
1973
90
1974
90
20
90
1975
90
1976
190
250
1977
50
300
1984
70
210
1986
40
370
1991
45
11
1993
50
8
1994
9
1995
50
8
1996
60
6
1997
65
6
32
1998
50
290
7
36
1999
40
300
5
37
2000
50
310
5
30
The Friends of the Lesser White-fronted Goose have donated a telescope (Kowa) to the Kyrgyz Project. Also, at the Roosta conference we collected USD 1000, enough to support the project for one year. Co-operation will continue.
If You feel interested, juct contact <kahanpaa@math.jyu.fi>
