36,000 birds hunted since launch of National Project to Combat Myna: MoECC
Doha
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has announced that the National Project to Combat Myna Birds in Qatar has recorded the hunting of approximately 36,000 birds since its launch, reflecting the effectiveness of the measures taken to limit the spread of this invasive species that threatens the ecological balance.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry explained that hunting operations were carried out in 35 locations using 611 cages, trapping approximately 9,416 birds between January and June 2025, an indication of the escalation of control and environmental monitoring efforts.
The ministry emphasised that the Myna is an invasive species that causes significant damage to the local environment by driving local birds from their nests and feeding on their eggs and young.
It also has a remarkable ability to reproduce rapidly and colonise urban environments, which increases competition for food, spreads diseases, and poses a threat to biodiversity.
The ministry also noted that the bird's native habitat is South Asia, indicating that the problem is not limited to Qatar alone, but rather extends to other Gulf and Arab countries facing the same challenges.
It noted that the national campaign to combat the Myna includes programmes for monitoring, surveying, and identifying areas of spread, in addition to trapping campaigns and community awareness of the danger posed by the bird and the importance of reporting its whereabouts.
The ministry called on community members to immediately report Myna locations, prevent the bird from providing food sources, cover garbage bins, and reduce nesting sites by blocking openings in buildings, trimming trees, and removing dry branches that could provide suitable shelter.
The ministry highlighted the importance of raising awareness among community members as a fundamental step to limiting its spread. It also emphasised the need not tamper with cages and traps placed by specialised teams, and to leave handling of the birds to the relevant authorities to ensure community safety and the effectiveness of control measures.
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