MoECC traps 8,800 invasive Myna birds

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has taken decisive action against the invasive Myna bird population, reporting the...

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has taken decisive action against the invasive Myna bird population, reporting the trapping of approximately 8,800 birds as part of its strategy to preserve the country’s ecological balance.

An infographic circulated on the Ministry’s social media platforms highlights the scope of the campaign, with 4,000 birds were caught from January to April 2024 across 20 different locations across the country. The Ministry employs 200 cages to manage the captured birds.

The Myna bird, native to Southeast Asia, has been identified as a significant ecological threat in Qatar. From November 2022 to October 2023, the Ministry caught 3,000 Myna birds, underscoring the ongoing challenge posed by this species.

Recognised for its aggressive behaviour towards other bird species and its detrimental impact on biodiversity, the Myna bird is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as one of the world’s most aggressively invasive avian species.