Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds

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  Avoid infrastructure development and other sources of human disturbance, including recreation/tourism liable to have an adverse impact on the known core breeding areas (Finland²⁷, Norway, Russia, Sweden);
  
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  Take measures to avoid overgrazing and nest trampling if/where this is known to be a problem (Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden);
  
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  Take measures, where feasible, to minimise predation, where this is shown to be a significant limiting factor (Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden);
  
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  Take measures to eliminate waterbird hunting on the breeding grounds (Russia, Norway) and in all staging areas close to the breeding grounds (Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden).
  

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  Establish a special website to serve as a ‘clearing house’ for information on this issue.
  
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  Ensure that any future release of captive-bred birds involves only individuals reared from wild-caught stock.
  
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  Remove any apparent hybrid geese from the existing free-flying introduced flock, subject to findings of a feasibility study (Sweden).
  
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  Conduct a review and evaluation of existing studies of LWfG genetics; to be carried out by an independent, appropriately experienced scientific expert or group of experts (specialist Sub-group of the International LWfG Working Group).
  
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  Review long-term future of all captive breeding programmes (specialist Sub-group of the International LWfG Working Group).
  

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  Locate sources of possible financial support for further conservation-oriented research;
  
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  Use a combination of satellite tracking and field surveys to locate the key breeding grounds for the bulk of the Western main population;
  
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  Assess the hunting pressure at key sites;
  
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  Use a combination of satellite tracking and field surveys to locate the key breeding, staging and wintering sites for the Fennoscandian population;
  
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  Conduct a Population Viability Assessment (PVA) for the remaining wild Fennoscandian population;
  
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  Use a combination of satellite tracking and field surveys to locate the key staging and wintering grounds for the bulk of the Central Asian population;
  
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  Undertake further field surveys of suitable breeding habitat and staging areas on the Kola Peninsula to update the estimate for the Fennoscandian subpopulation;
  
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  Establish an effective network of coordinated counts in the wintering grounds (or main staging areas if wintering areas are not known), to monitor overall population trends as accurately as possible;
  
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  Evaluate spatial use patterns at the habitat level to identify areas where hunting directly threatens Lesser White-fronts and to direct local conservation efforts (e.g. planting of ‘lure’ crops) to hunting-free refuges and corridors;
  
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  Continue to refine genetic knowledge and the techniques deployed for genetic assessments;
  
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  Develop a strategy for genetic management of the species both in the wild and in captivity based on previous agreements such as the 2007 AEWA negotiation mission and and findings of the CMS Scientific Council in 2005;
  
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  Assess the current status of key sites for Lesser White-fronted Goose with regard to the species’ ecological requirements, taking into account protected area status, habitat quality, conservation management and active threats.
  
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  Increase knowledge of breeding site fidelity for males and females and exchange with other populations;
  
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  Undertake studies on predation by White-tailed Eagle;
  
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  Investigate the importance of small mammal cycles on reproduction of Lesser White-fronted Goose.
  

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  CMS: Azerbaijan, Estonia, Iraq, Russian Federation, Turkey, Turkmenistan
  
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  Bern Convention: Russian Federation
  
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  CBD: Iraq
  
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  Ramsar Convention: Turkmenistan is planning to join in October 2008
  

Almost half of the 15 wild Fennoscandian geese tagged or ringed in Finland/Norway in 1995 and 1996 were shot or probably shot (Markkola, 2005; Aarvak et al. 1997). The major known causes of death of released captive-bred birds 1980-1998 were shooting and predation (by mink, Goshawk Accipiter gentilis, Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, fox and dogs). Collision with power lines was also recorded (Markkola, 2005).

In 1997 a satellite-tracked bird of the Fennoscandian population left the breeding grounds in the first half of July and arrived on Kolguev Island, north-west Russia in mid-July, where it remained for about one month, presumably to moult. Of two other individuals in this study that undertook moult migration, one went as far as the Taimyr Peninsula in Russia. (Aarvak & Øien 2003).

In Siberia, nests are usually sited amongst vegetation, grass or dwarf shrub heath, often on snowfree patches available early in the season, such as rock outcrop or prominent hummock; often in proximity to open water or extensive marshy area (Dementiev & Gladkov 1952, reported by Fox 2005).