The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU) is an international, legally non-binding agreement to protect migratory birds of prey.
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Ecological importance and threats
Hawks, eagles, and falcons can function as indicator species of the ecological condition of a region. As they are at the top of the food chain, these species may be among the first to be affected by environmental pressures such as drought, habitat degradation, and the use of pesticides. Monitoring the population trends of birds of prey, therefore, is a cost-effective method of tracking environmental change.
Raptors can play an important role in ecological health — they may help to control insects and rodents, stabilize predator-prey dynamics and mitigate health risks to humans and other animals by removing carrion (e.g. vultures).
Major threats to birds of prey include the use of pesticides and lead shot, collision with overhead power lines and wind turbines, habitat destruction, poaching and illegal trapping, and illegal trade.
Signatories and countries covered
As of late 2015, there were fifty-two signatories to the agreement: Angola, Armenia, Belgium, Burundi, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), the Czech Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, the European Union, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Yemen. India (54th member) signed this MoU on 9 March 2016.
Other countries where species covered by the agreement occur include: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malawi, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Qatar, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Rwanda, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Macedonia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.