Norway publishes National Action Plan for the Lesser White-fronted Goose

Trondheim / Bonn, 27 October 2009 - The Norwegian Ministry of the Environment has launched the Norwegian National Action Plan for the conservation of the globally threatened Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus). The goal is to halt the decline of the Fennoscandian population which breeds in northern Norway within the next five years and in the long run, to increase the population to 1000 birds.

The action plan, which aims to combine and coordinate efforts between different officials and stakeholders, comes at a crucial time: only an estimated 15 – 20 breeding pairs still migrate to Norway each spring.

Implementation of the action plan will be carried out by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management and foreseen activities include continued monitoring, conservation of key sites, predation control in the breeding and roosting areas and the possibility to establish a captive population for future supplementation and/or reintroduction measures (subject to an ongoing feasibility study).

It is, however, clear that the decline of the Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose population will not be halted by protecting the breeding and staging areas in Norway alone. In addition to local and national activities, the action plan specifically highlights the need for conservation efforts along the entire flyway of the species. The biggest threat to the Lesser White-fronted Goose remains hunting and poaching along its eastern migratory route crossing countries such as Russia and Kazakhstan.

To this end, Norway intends to continue and strengthen its support of international conservation efforts within the framework of AEWA, the AEWA Secretariat and the International Single Species Action Plan for the Lesser White-fronted Goose which was adopted last year.

At present only the action plan summary is available in English, but an English translation is due to be completed this winter. Hopefully the Norwegian action plan can then serve as an example and inspiration for other countries in the process of drafting corresponding national plans for the protection of the Lesser White-fronted Goose.

For more information see:

• Norwegian National Action Plan for the Lesser White-fronted Goose (in Norwegian with English summary on page 5)
• Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management (English)

Or contact:

Mr. Jo Anders Auran, Advisor, Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management

E-Mail: [email protected]

Ms. Nina Mikander, Coordinator for the Lesser White-fronted Goose, AEWA Secretariat

E-Mail: [email protected]