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45 bird species in Malaysia face extinction: report

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysia faces the extinction of 45 bird species in the next five to 10 years if it fails to introduce protected areas and breeding programmes for endangered species, a report said Thursday.

A recent survey by conservation group BirdLife International found that five species were critically endangered, four were endangered and the rest were considered vulnerable, The New Straits Times said.

"It is sad. Many of the birds have been around for more than 50 years while some, as recently as 10 years," Malaysian Nature Society Penang Branch chairman D. Kanda Kumar told the daily.

Kanda Kumar said rapid development has led to the loss of bird habitats, and that protected areas and breeding programmes were needed to save the populations.

The critically endangered species are the Silvery Wood-pigeon, the Chinese Crested Tern, the White-rumped Vulture, the Slender-billed Vulture and the Christmas Island Frigatebird.