Madagascan bird declared extinct
May 27th, 2010 . by additurboknittingneedlesThe Alaotra Grebe, a small diving bird native to Madagascar has been officially classified extinct, according to a leading bird conservation organization.
BirdLife International reported that the species, once found on Lake Alaotra, the largest lake in Madagascar, declined rapidly due to carnivorous fish being introduced to the lake and the use of nylon gill nets by local fishermen.
“No hope now remains for this species. It is another example of how human actions can have unforeseen consequences,” Dr Leon Bennun, BirdLife International’s director of science, policy and information said in a statement.
Invasive alien species are causing extinctions around the globe, Bennun says, and are one of the major threats not just to birds but to other wildlife.
