"The spoon-billed sandpiper population is decreasing by approximately five percent per year. Therefore, we expect that in 45 years from now the population will be reduced to just 40 mature birds. This will make the population so fragile that we risk losing it. There are several reasons for the decline, including loss of habitat in the tidal areas that are converted to industry – especially around the Yellow Sea. Bird hunting and fishing nets also threaten the species. Although we have only mapped approximately 10 percent of the species' breeding areas in north-eastern Siberia, we know that the areas are severely affected by climate change."
"The best way to protect this species is to effectively protect and restore the tidal areas where they live. At the same time, it is necessary to limit climate change and combat both intentional and unintentional hunting and fishing, which cost the lives of many birds."
Rhys Green, Emeritus Honorary Professor of Conservation Science, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge