CONTAMINATION OF WHITE STORKS CICONIA CICONIA L. DECLINES DUE TO THE REDUCTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN THE ARARAT PLAIN OF ARMENIA

A novelty threat to the White Storks Ciconia ciconia was discovered in 2019-2021. The storks were becoming contaminated with an agent of plant oil and/or fish fat nature, which was impeding their flying abilities, causing increased mortality of the young birds. In response, a species-specific strategy and action plan were developed and implemented starting in late 2021, aimed at improving waste management of over 300 producers of fish, chips, and canned food. The monitoring of the White Storks in Ararat Plain of Armenia was conducted in 2019-2021 and continued in 2022-2024 to track the efficiency of the implemented measures. The average percentage of contaminated storks (monitored in 35 villages) grew from 5% in 2019 to 21% in 2020 and to 55% in 2021, followed by a decline of contaminated storks to 34% in 2022, 22% in 2023, and to 19% in 2024. The number of strongly contaminated nestlings (taken as a percentage of all contaminated nestlings) declined from 18% in 2019 to 5% in 2020. then grew up to 24% in 2021, followed by a decline of strongly contaminated storks to 17% in 2022, 16% in 2023, and to 12% in 2024. Continuation of the undertaken measures, development of longer-term measures, and further monitoring of the storks are recommended.