Avian Comrades - Taking on Locusts

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//Locust Trouble//


Locust invasions are a problem that many countries must deal with, in some instances it might be similar to the pandemic that breaks out. They damage crops with great speed and can fly from place to place in considerably short amounts of time. Common results of post locust invasion include mass food shortages, economic problems and damaged habitats for other animals. They do not pose threat to other humans or animals, but their actions have grave knock on effects that cause concern among nations. Their population size has not diminished over the years and their number continue to climb in the millions. Many forms of pest control have been used to manage this situation over the years but in 2020, it would seem that the world, or China specifically, has been turning towards an avian comrade.

//Duck Defence//


As a swarm of locust approached the eastern side of China, information regarding China’s approach to pest control came to light. For over two decades, a biological defence has been maintained by a battalion of ducks. Hundreds of thousands of ducks were deployed onto the lands of Xinjiang to protect its lands and crops from the foreign invasion. Ducks seem to have assumed numerous roles in society, being kept as pets and now as friends on the front line as part of a natural defence. Ducks feast on locusts as part of their healthy diet and have no issue with consuming up to 200 locust a day, a plentiful buffet. Such a strategy is definitely and interesting part of ecology and it’s a field that is most interesting. Countries pay close attention to ecological conditions and will implement drastic measures to ensure stability.

//Ecological Consideration//


Locusts often travel from Africa and pursue a route into Pakistan, bordering China. It was proposed that the ducks would be sent as aid to other countries to produce similar effects, but this method was later revised. Ecological considerations are very important, nobody can be sure of the ultimate effects of suddenly introducing a new species onto foreign soils. There are many rules and regulations for this exact purpose, and it was concluded that the intended habitat was deemed too barren of water and general food source for the ducks to survive post battle. Biological solutions may be the answer of the future and perhaps native animals will come to step up in the future. It’s fascinating that the docile duck would be employed in such a manner to maintain order in their homelands. Recently we saw a flow of harmful hornets from Asia sweep the west, while not particularly problematic just yet, ecological understanding and strategy might be in the sights of scientists outside of China from now on.

//Knowledge sharing//


An interesting thought I’d like to conclude with is that opinions and knowledge sharing has been limited for various reasons over the last couple of years. I am not sure of how long it has been known that ducks can be used to counter locust invasions, but in the wider scientific community, open data and sharing needs to happen more often. Sharing leads to new opportunities and I hope to see more unique solution appear from every region in the near future.

Sources
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ducks-army-locust-infestation-pakistan-china-zhejiang-a9362546.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/27/china-to-dispatch-army-of-ducks-to-pakistan-to-devour-locust-swarm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locust



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