De Grazio, J.W.
(1973)
Vertebrate damage control research, quelea bird problems in African agriculture.
Documentation.
Denver Wildlife Research Center, Denver.
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Abstract
One trip to Africa was made in 1972 with four primary objectives: (1) to further investigate bird and rodent damage problems in Senegal, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon; (2) to accompany FAO personnel in Chad to rice damage areas in Chad and Cameroon; (3) to discuss research findings in Africa with FAO personnel in Rome; and (4) to
develop plans for an AID/BSFW research program in Africa. Aspects of the problem were reviewed; basic information on distribution, reproduction, food habits, and damage by quelea was obtained from the literature and from knowledgeable workers. A nunber of recommendations pertinent
to the problems are suggested.
Quelea has been reported to adversely affect the economy of 25 nations in Africa and has the distinction of being the most numerous and destructive bird in the world. Quelea damage millet, sorghum, rice, and wheat. Recognition of the problem dates back to the late 1800's, but has only
recently received international attention.
Since 1950, many methods of quelea control have been devised and millions of birds have been destroyed. Aerial applications with high concentrations of very potent pesticides in roosting and nesting sites is the damage control method currently being used almost exclusively by
many governments in Africa. Although heavy annual kills are made, populations have not decreased, indicating simply that surplus birds are being harvested.
Present bird control techniques need refining and other methods of crop protection should be investigated and developed. Basic research on bird behavior, movement, damage, and on selective chemicals are also requirements
for the future. FAO personnel headquartered at Ft. Lamy, Chad, have begun much of this basic research. It is recommended that AID/BSFW become directly involved in the quelea problem by establishing a research project early in 1973
| Item Type: |
Monograph
(Documentation)
|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Chronic problem, Bird damage, Quelea, Sparrow, Nesting sites, P20738 |
| Author Affiliation: |
Denver Wildlife Research Center, Denver |
| Subjects: |
Plant Protection |
| Divisions: |
General |
| Depositing User: |
Ms Ishrath Durafsha
|
| Date Deposited: |
02 Apr 2014 10:40 |
| Last Modified: |
02 Apr 2014 10:40 |
| URI: |
http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/12710 |
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