On Yemen’s island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean we have held events to celebrate our Egyptian Vultures and other birds of prey for several years. This year we organised another event for these special birds.
Under the patronage of the Governor of the Socotra Archipelago, Eng. Rafat Ali Ibrahim Al -Thaqali, the Socotra Islands Foundation for the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Socotra Wildlife Association, we organized a Bird of Prey Day on 3 September. The event attracted many Socotrans and included a lecture for students at the Canadian Institute in Hadiboh, Socotra’s capital, where I was proud to introduce the audience to the importance of Socotra’s raptors and especially the globally Endangered Egyptian Vulture and our endemic Socotra Buzzard, which was only named just over ten years ago.
We discussed the threats they are facing, both on Socotra and globally and there was a long session on how to tackle those threats.
The more we are able to inform the Socotran people about their special birds, the more they want to help protect them.
Birds are considered one of the most important factors in the tourism scarcity of this archipelago A site visit was made to Khor Sirhan, an Important Bird Area (IBA) with the aim of introducing the students to the range of birds that are found in the creek, especially at times of migration. Here we were able to discuss the threats to habitat posed by the rapid urban expansion of Hadiboh town and also the resulting depletion of water which is such a precious resource on our island. As well as waste, toxins, and agricultural and animal inputs, which pose the greatest danger to eagles and birds.
Socotran students on a site visit to Khor Sirhan
The students made sincere thanks and appreciation for these efforts in organizing these activities and it was a pleasure to provide them with a range of information on birds of prey and the importance of Socotra globally because of its biodiversity.
Because OSME have helped to sponsor special wildlife events in the past, especially for the annual International Vulture Awareness Day.
Ahmed Saeed Sulaiman Abdullah, seen in the centre, Ahmed is an expert in birds, and more generally entire fauna and flora research in Socotra Archipelago, for over two decades of heading major environmental organizations in Socotra and through projects like “Support to the Integrated Program for the Conservation and Development of Socotra Archipelago” Ahmed has been actively involved in sustainable development and preservation of Socotra Island. He participated in the preparation of Socotra zoning plan, an important tool of environmental activities in the island, confirmed by presidential decree; as well as in organizing pilot community-based eradication campaigns and awareness activities for eradicating of invasive species in Socotra House Crow, Prosopis Juliflora and Opuntia Stricta (Prickly Pear). Ahmed is also organizing and implementing Socotra’s environment awareness events, Vulture Awareness Day and Wetlands Day.