THE ROLE OF BIRDS AS A SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE

John E Cooper, DTVM, FRCPath, FIBiol, FRCVS

Department of Wild Life & Animal Resources Management (WARM)

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala,

Uganda

( UK contact address: WILDLIFE HEALTH SERVICES

PO Box 153, WELLINGBOROUGH, Northants NN8 2ZA, UK

Fax no: 01483 797552 Email: NGAGI@compuserve.com)

ABSTRACT

Birds (Class Aves) have for long been an important source of food in most

parts of the world. At present domestic poultry account for 20% of the

worlds meat production. Only a few of the 9000 extant species of bird have

been successfully domesticated but many others are harvested from the wild.

There is potential for greater use of birds as a source of food, eggs and

other products. Existing domesticated species, especially galliforms, need

to be better utilised and in some cases improved. Certain new avian

species could be brought into domestication, ranging from various ducks and

geese to South American cracids. The efficiency and sustainability of

harvesting methods for free-living birds might be improved and the

exploitation of new species should be considered. Such measures could be

compatible with improved conservation of wild birds and their habitats, but

careful planning and surveillance are essential prerequisites.

Further reading

Cooper, J.E. (1995). The role of birds in sustainable food production.

Biodiversity and Conservation 4, 266-280.

Cooper, J.E. (1998). New species for sustainable food production. In

Proceedings of XXI Biennial Congress Caribbean Veterinary Medical

Association, Guyana Nov 1-5, 1998.

National Research Council (1991) Micro-livestock: Little Known Animals with

a Promising Economic Future. National Academic Press, Washington, DC.