Protection needed for birds in Kubbar Island

The Committee for Protection of Indigenous Wildlife of the Kuwait Environmental Protection Society (KEPS) called on authorities to provide protection for Tern birds during their breeding season on Kubbar island, calling on the island visitors not to tamper with or get too close to their nests. Head of the Committee Dr. Manaf Behbehani told KUNA, Sunday, that some visitors to the island mess with these birds' nests causing great harm. He noted that Kuwait is a member of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which means it is required to maintain proper conditions for creatures in their indigenous environments, most especially during the breeding season. Behbehani also called Kuwait Coast Guard and Environment Public Authority to take urgent measures to prevent Kubbar island visitors from approaching nests of the three types of Tern known to be nesting there. The committee prepared a number of signs for the island goers asking them not to approach the birds and their nests and give them the opportunity to breed. The official noted that the signs and posters will also clearly indicate that the creatures are protected by law and anyone causing harm would be held accountable. Terns are seabirds of the Sternidae family seen in many parts of the world. Usually found near the sea, they are birds of open habitats that typically breed in noisy colonies and lay their eggs on bare ground with little or no nest structure and protection.