Madagascan birds get huge Birdfair conservation boost

A record-breaking total of £350,000 has been presented by Birdfair to BirdLife International to help fund vital conservation work in Madagascar and Africa.

This vital support from the 2016 event will allow BirdLife Partner Asity Madagascar and local communities to realise their long-term conservation plans for Tsitongambarika Forest. Tsitongambarika rises out of the coastal plain of south-east Madagascar and is the only area in the region that supports significant areas of lowland forest. These forests are unique even within Madagascar, with flora and fauna quite distinct from lowland forests elsewhere. Many species of plants and animals at Tsitongambarika are endemic not just to Madagascar — some are known only from this site.

BirdLife International's Chief Executive, Patricia Zurita, said: "We're incredibly grateful to the Birdfair team and everyone who comes to Birdfair for this fantastic donation. This will support our work in Madagascar as well as training the conservation leaders of the future in Africa."

Birdfair 2016 also raised money for the next generation of conservationists. The event aims to support and train young people in the countries where Birdfair funds conservation projects: this year African students will receive financial support. Birdwatch magazine will continue supporting the fair by producing the official programme, as well as attending the event in partnership with BirdGuides on our own stand.

Some 13 years ago, Birdfair supported BirdLife's wetland conservation programme in Madagascar. Back then, the ability of Malagasy organisations to conserve big sites was minimal and the country's wetlands weren't on anyone's agenda. With Birdfair's help, Asity Madagascar has grown into a skilled and capable protected area managing organisation and advocate for conservation.

The Birdfair started as a few keen birders gathering in a field in Rutland, Leicestershire, but it has now become a significant contributor to saving birds and their habitats across the globe. Since the event began fundraising through ticket sales and a charity auction in 1989, Birdfair has raised a total of £4,346,152 for global conservation partnership BirdLife International.

Tim Stowe (left), Carole Allen (second from left) and Tim Appleton (right) of BirdFair present the cheque for the funds raised last year to Patricia Zurita of BirdLife International (second from right) (Photo: RSPB)

Tim Appleton, Co-founder of Birdfair, said: "The first cheque we handed to BirdLife International 28 years ago was for £3,000. It's amazing that we are now presenting a cheque for £350,000, bringing the total Birdfair has raised for BirdLife to [more than] £4.3 million."

In 2017, Birdfair's theme will be Saving Paradise in the Pacific. The event will be raising funds for work on the French Polynesian island of Rapa Iti. Here, invasive non-native rats and goats are decimating populations of native birds. These include the Endangered Rapa Fruit Dove, along with 11 threatened seabirds including Rapa Shearwater and the local form of White-bellied Storm-petrel. Money from Birdfair will help BirdLife International organise the removal of goats and rats from nine Rapa islets.

Tim Stowe, RSPB Director of International Operations, said: "This is a unique fundraising partnership: a local charity, the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, working with a national and international charity, the RSPB, to support vital conservation projects across the globe with BirdLife International."

Birdfair 2017 will run from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 August, and tickets are now on sale at birdfair.org.uk