How Do Animals Undergo Life-Threatening Processes During Migration

 

Millions of wild animals and birds migrate across the planet every day, which is an important part of their lives and a fascinating phenomenon happening all over the world. Animal migration is a crucial part of the ecosystem and has several benefits for people.

For the animals, migration allows them to access different food sources, escape harsh weather conditions, find suitable breeding grounds, and avoid predators. It also helps in spreading seeds and nutrients in different areas, influencing the population and genetic diversity of species, and contributing to ecosystem dynamics. Additionally, migration can have cultural, and ecological impacts on human societies, as it can affect tourism, agriculture, and local traditions.

These migratory animals also provide economic benefits to regions in a variety of ways. For example, migratory birds can help to control insect populations, which can benefit agriculture and forestry industries. In addition, migratory animals can be a source of food and income for local communities through subsistence, recreational, and commercial hunting and fishing activities. The annual migration of wildebeest in Tanzania and Kenya is a major tourist attraction, generating significant revenue for the region.

Animal migration has many benefits for both the animals themselves and the environments they move through, it is also a dangerous process for their lives.

How do animals undergo life-threatening processes during migration,

Although animal migration may be a natural phenomenon, migratory animals face a growing array of life threats, including starvation, predation, dehydration, exhaustion, habitat destruction, overexploitation, disease, and global climate change during the process of migration.

For instance, many birds migrate at night and are attracted to the lights of tall buildings, which can cause them to collide with windows and die. Similarly, many sea turtles die every year due to entanglement in fishing gear, ingestion of plastic debris, and habitat loss.

Climatic and environmental changes are global phenomena, altering every biome, and affecting nearly every species. Many migrant animals experience challenging conditions en route, including extremes and/or fluctuations of temperature, humidity, and solar radiation, osmotic stress, pathogen pressure, and hypoxia.

The matter does not stop here. Many animals are forced to eat up to half their body during migration. This is because migration is one of the most energy-demanding challenges in an individual’s life, and migrants have evolved various morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations to prepare for and cope with migration.

Human interference can also pose significant threats to migrating animals. Habitat loss, pollution, climate change, hunting, and collisions with vehicles or infrastructure are examples of human-induced dangers that can disrupt migration patterns and harm populations. Animal migration can also be obstructed by physical barriers such as highways, fences, or urban development. These barriers can disrupt or prevent animals from reaching their destination, leading to injuries or death.

Creating migration corridors, erecting wildlife-friendly fences, and protecting breeding beaches are some of the ways to help protect migrating animals. For instance, many species of sea turtles and coastal birds depend on specific beaches for nesting, so protecting these areas from development and pollution can help protect the survival of these species. Building animal-only bridges or tunnels across roads and reducing human impacts can also help save our incredible animal species. 

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) is an environmental treaty of the United Nations that provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory animals and their habitats. The CMS contains two appendices: one covering endangered migratory species, while the other lists animals with "an unfavorable conservation status," requiring international action.

However, it is important to note that the CMS does not grant migratory animals any legal rights. Instead, it provides a framework for international cooperation to protect these animals and their habitats. Means the issue still requires concerted efforts.