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Controlling the Conflict Between Beekeepers and Bee-Eaters

Collaborative Efforts to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict and Protect Ecosystems

In many regions across Iran, beekeepers consider bee-eaters a significant threat to their hives and honeybees. Each bee-eater can consume a large number of bees daily. Since these birds live in groups, their encounter with honey production hives during migration can cause substantial losses for beekeepers. This has led to widespread conflict between bee-eaters and beekeepers. One method commonly used by beekeepers to mitigate this issue is poisoning, using bees laced with pesticides like diazinon. Unfortunately, this practice not only kills valuable bee-eater species but also introduces harmful chemicals into the ecosystem, affecting other wildlife that consume the poisoned birds and contaminating the food chain.

Project Objectives and Implementation

The AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society began studying this issue in 2020 and developed an educational and advisory catalog. This catalog introduces the bee-eater, highlights its ecological importance, and compiles various methods to reduce conflicts between bee-eaters and beekeepers, both locally and globally.

Given that center of Iran has over 30,000 beekeepers, specific hotspots of conflict were selected as pilot areas for the project. The Society engaged directly with beekeepers, providing the catalog and educational insights. Beekeepers’ opinions and suggestions were gathered through questionnaires to ensure their feedback was considered.

Key Aspects of the Project

Financial Support: The project is financially supported by Nazre Tabiat NGO through public donations.
Pilot Areas: Three pilot areas were selected based on evidence of conflict hotspots.
Education: Beekeepers were taught on-site at their work locations, addressing specific reasons for increased conflicts.
Evaluation: A pre-test was conducted with all beekeepers, and a post-test will follow to estimate the project’s impact.

Outcomes and Future Steps

The data collected from beekeepers’ feedback will be analyzed by the project’s biodiversity expert to create final content suitable for future educational and research initiatives. This project aims to reduce environmental hazards associated with chemical pest control, protect bee-eaters from poisoning, and promote sustainable coexistence between beekeepers and bee-eaters.

Acknowledgments

The AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society extends its sincere gratitude to Nazre Tabiat NGO for their financial support and to all the beekeepers who participated in the project. This joint effort highlights the importance of collaboration in resolving human-wildlife conflicts.

Project Page on Nazre Tabiat
Advisory Catalog in Persian

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Waterbird Census of Hormozgan Province

Comprehensive Survey of Waterbird Populations in Hormozgan Province

The Department of Environment (DOE) in Hormozgan Province, in collaboration with the AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society, recently completed an extensive waterbird census. This project aimed to monitor waterbird habitats and assess the population and diversity of waterbirds within the province. Beyond data collection, the initiative sought to facilitate knowledge transfer, foster cooperation between governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations, and train local volunteers. Over the past two years, at least ten volunteers have been actively involved, gaining invaluable field experience and skills to implement similar projects in the future.

Methodology

The census covered more than 32 wetlands over a total area of 175,135 hectares, successfully monitoring 76% of these regions. The methodology involved using boats and 4WD vehicles, with experts utilizing binoculars and telescopes to identify and count birds. Over 240 km were covered by boat, more than 1,100 km by 4WD, and additional distances on foot. In high-density areas, simultaneous counting by two experts ensured accuracy. The census was conducted over 20 days from January 24th to February 13th, 2023.

Key Findings

The census recorded an impressive 64,123 waterbirds spanning 97 species, including several near-threatened and vulnerable species such as the Dalmatian Pelican and the Common Pochard. The highest bird counts were observed in Khoor-e Khooran, Rud-e Shur, and the eastern coast of Bandar Abbas.

Training Local Volunteers

AvayeBoom actively involves local volunteers in its projects. For this census, at least ten volunteers were trained and equipped to conduct similar projects independently in the future. This approach ensures the success of current projects while building local capacity and expertise, fostering sustainable conservation efforts. Training local volunteers is a core value of AvayeBoom, empowering communities to take an active role in protecting and managing their natural resources.

Report Availability

The full report is now available for download, offering detailed insights into the findings and methodologies of this significant project.

Acknowledgments

The AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society extends its sincere gratitude to the DOE of Hormozgan Province and to all the volunteers who participated in the census. Their dedication and hard work were instrumental in the successful completion of this project

Download the Report

You can also watch a clip of this project here: