The sixth international conference on study and
protection of carnivorous birds of Asia, held on Thursday at Chinggis Khaan Hotel, heard that
buzzards, field eagles, saker falcons and bearded vultures are getting rare in
Mongolia, where they traditionally nest.

The conference was jointly organized by the Mongolian Ornithology
Association, the National University of Mongolia, the Ministry of Environment
and Tourism, and the Mongolian Science Academy. The head of the association,
S.Gombobaatar, briefed media after the event. 

He said carnivorous birds were totems of Mongolian tribes
in ancient times. They then became a symbol of wealth and were also used for
hunting. Since such birds annually migrate to other countries, to breed and to
escape the cold, all such countries must come together to protect them.

About 130 representatives from 23 countries attended the
meeting, including Toru Yamazaki of the Asian Carnivorous Birds Network,
representatives of Peregrine Fund and Dr. Rick Watson.