Changes in migratory behaviour and pink-feet hunting bags

A study has been published in PLOSOne describing the development in the harvest of the Svalbard Pink-footed Geese in relation to observed changes in population size and migratory behaviour of the population

In Denmark and Norway the overall hunting bag for pink-feet increased stepwise during the 2000s. The population also increased in size over this time but this can only partly explain the change in the hunting bag. It also corresponded to changing patterns in the migratory behaviour of pink-feet. The study demonstrates how changes in migratory behaviour and habitat utilisation can abruptly affect exposure to hunting. The paper concludes that the harvest of pink-feet has reached a level likely to cause a population decline. It highlights the need for flexible, internationally coordinated hunting regulations and reliable up-to-date population estimates and hunting bag statistics, to ensure the timely adjustment of management actions.

For more details please see the Publications section of this website.

Date added: 13.08.2015