Imphal: The Eurasian curlew, a migratory bird classified as Near-Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been spotted in a Manipur wetland after a gap of 23 years.
The sighting of the large wading bird, which belongs to the Scolopacidae family, was reported at Lamphelpat wetland in Imphal’s west district.
Elangbam Premjit, secretary of the Wildlife Explorer Manipur (WEM), confirmed that this is the first time the curlew has been seen at Lamphelpat.
Premjit, an ornithologist, stated that the Eurasian curlew has been observed in a flock at the wetland since April 3, 2024.
WEM records indicate that the last sighting of this curlew species, known for its extensive breeding range across temperate Europe and Asia, was in 2001 at Keibul Lamjao National Park, located within Manipur‘s Loktak Lake.
The WEM has urged the public to avoid disturbing the migratory birds while they rest at Lamphelpat.