FURTHER SURVIVAL OF WHITE STORKS CICONIA CICONIA L. UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION OF ARARAT PLAIN OF ARMENIA

Monitoring of the White Storks Ciconia ciconia in Ararat Plain of Armenia was continued in 2022-2023 after the implementation of the mitigation measures against the novelty threat, which was discovered in 2019-2021. The storks were becoming contaminated with the undetermined agent of plant oil and/or fish fat nature, which was impeding their flying abilities. The average percentage of contaminated storks (monitored in 35 villages) grew from 5% in 2019 to 21% in 2020 and then to 58% in 2021. The joint strategy developed and implemented by the state and non-governmental organizations was aimed at the improvement of waste management of over 300 producers of fish, chips, and canned food. As a result, the average percentage of the contaminated nestlings declined from 55% in 2021 to 34% in 2022 (t = -4.36, d.f. = 34, p < 0.00), and then to 22% in 2023 (t = -2.52, d.f. = 34, p < 0.0164). The number of strongly polluted nestlings, which were in critical condition, showed some decline but not at a significant level. Further short-term and long-term measures are recommended.