Hudsonian godwit population declines by 95 percent over four decades

Exam-focused facts from the 26 March 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Hudsonian godwit, a migratory shorebird, has experienced a 95 percent population decline over the past 40 years.
The species is among 42 proposed for international protection at the upcoming meeting of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) in Brazil.
The bird performs a 30,000-kilometre annual journey from the Arctic to South America and is capable of flying 11,000 kilometres in a single stretch without stopping.
Environmental pressures include climate change in the Arctic, expanded salmon and oyster farming in Chile, and agricultural changes in the United States.
A recent report indicates that 49 percent of species listed under the CMS are now experiencing population declines, up from 44 percent two years ago.