Pelecanus onocrotalus

Eastern white pelican

Taxonomy
Phylum Chordates (Chordata)
Class Birds (Aves)
Order  (Pelecaniformes)
Family  (Pelecanidae)
Genus  (Pelecanus)
Species Authority Linnaeus, 1758
Information
Summary Status: endangered (Category I), found in isolated local habitats. The eastern white pelican was once widespread in Kazakstan, but in the last 50 years it has disap-peared from the Syr Darya River drainage and the Aral Sea area. This pelican is now found in the Torgai depression from the Naurzum Lakes in the north to the Shelkar-Tengiz Lakes in the south. It nests in large water basins with reeds. In Kazakstan the number of nesting pairs is estimated at ap-proximately 4,000. Limiting factors are fi-shing, the burning of reeds, poaching and other human activities, and environment pollution. It is necessary to create reserves near the mouths of the Ili, Tentek and Black Irtysh Rivers. In addition, visiting colonies and the cutting of reeds during nesting periods in the Torgai and Sarykopinsk Reserves should be forbidden.

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