A recent study conducted by Oman’s Environment Authority (EA) has raised alarms about the declining population of the endangered Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) in the country. The research highlights several threats to the species, including habitat destruction, poaching, pollution, poisoning, and electrocution from power lines.
The study, led by EA’s Office for Conservation of Environment, focused on the challenges faced by the Steppe Eagle in Oman, especially in the Dhofar governorate, which serves as a key migration route for these birds. The findings emphasize the need for immediate conservation action to safeguard the species.
Key Threats to Steppe Eagle
Mohammed bin Ghanem bin Nabhan Habis, Environmental Systems Supervisor at the EA, shared insights into the eagle’s role in the ecosystem. “The Steppe Eagle is a migratory bird that primarily feeds on carrion, small mammals, rodents, other birds, and insects. It plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance,” Habis said.
The research investigated the eagle’s dependence on waste disposal sites, which attract large numbers of the birds due to their food availability. Three waste disposal sites in Dhofar were monitored, and in 2019, researchers recorded a peak of 1,122 Steppe Eagles. However, the data collected over five years, from 2018 to 2022, showed a noticeable decline in their numbers, raising concerns about the bird’s future in the region.
Urgent Need for Conservation
The decline in the Steppe Eagle population points to the pressing need for improved waste management, as well as measures to reduce poisoning and electrocution risks. The EA advocates for stronger policies to protect the species and other endangered wildlife in Oman.
“This study serves as a call for action,” Habis explained. “We must enhance conservation policies to tackle environmental challenges and ensure the survival of this majestic bird.”
The findings have led the EA to propose further research and the development of strategies to protect the eagle and preserve Oman’s biodiversity.
