Former declines were primarily caused by wetland drainage, shooting and persecution by fishers^1,2,7. Continuing threats include disturbance from tourists and fishers, wetland alteration and destruction, water pollution, collision with overhead power-lines and over-exploitation of fish stocks^3,5,7. Organochloride residues including DDT have been recorded in high levels in the eggs of this species and those of its prey¹⁹. Hunting by herders (for traditional use of the bill) continues to threaten the Mongolian population⁷. Nest predation by wild boar at times of low water levels is the most important threat to the Bulgarian breeding colony¹³. The breeding colonies in Mediterranean lagoons in Albania and Turkey are threatened by coastal developments and the alteration of the functioning of the lagoons⁸.