![]() Our research program will also deploy these backpack-mounted units on wild fledglings to gather baseline information which has never been captured before. ![]() These devices will track each bird with a location reading every hour with an accuracy of 10 meters (33 feet) or less. These devices allow us to track each Shoebill’s movements in their remote habitat to better understand their behaviors, ensure their survival, and intervene if necessary. The largest component of our post-release monitoring, although weighing in at only 55 grams, are SpoorTrack’s Solar Flight GPS tracking units. 13 nests have already been identified in 2021, and the season is not yet over. The program started 10 years ago with only a few nests identified, but as fishermen learn of the opportunity for income, the desire to be a part of this program has grown. The SNPP is uplifting the community through income generation, assisting in Shoebill research data gathering, directly aiding the chick rearing program through monitoring and reporting their nest’s status, and helping to spread the word about the species’ importance within the fishing community. Some nest guardians have been with the project for 5 years or more, guarding the nest from the same breeding pair year after year. They take their jobs seriously and it is obvious when meeting them they appreciate the opportunity for income in an environment that offers little opportunity besides fishing. They are responsible for guarding the nest and protecting it from intruders and fire either until a chick fledges or nest fails. Once we can verify this nest, a team of 2 fishermen are provided with uniform work suits and t-shirts identifying them as Shoebill Guardians, boots, hats, and a monthly stipend to monitor the surroundings of the nest 24/7. As soon as a fisherman finds a Shoebill nest, he reports its location and status (empty, eggs, or chicks) to our staff who then prepare for a nest visit. ![]() The swamps are remote, and yet thousands of people live on their edges and benefit from their bountiful fish resources. The Shoebill Nest Protection Program (SNPP) is a shining example of one of Bangweulu Wetlands’ successful community-led conservation initiatives. We raise these chicks and then release them back into the wild.īangweulu Wetlands’ slogan for many years was “Community owned, Community conserved”. We remove one egg or one chick per nest, as this chick almost never survives. This project contributes to the species survival by capitalizing on this natural behaviour. A darker aspect of shoebill’s nature is that the chicks exhibit ‘Cain and Able’ behaviour called Cainism where the older chick kills or pushes the younger chick out of the nest. Wetland degradation, human encroachment, fire, and illegal trade are major threats for these highly endangered, unique, and beautiful birds. Shoebills have very specific habitat requirements for both foraging and breeding. The International Union for the Conservation on Nature (IUCN) estimates there are only between 33 adult shoebills left in the world. Specially crafted Shoebill hand puppets and a world class chick rearing facility ensure we raise non-habituated Shoebills for release back into the wetlands. Based in the Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia, our conservation work takes place in the heart of Shoebill habitat. A global first ever shoebill incubation, rearing and rewilding project, an initiative of AWCF Direct in association with African Parks and and Ashia Cheetah Conservation, is taking shape.
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