India, March 26 -- Migratory species around the world are facing escalating threats from illegal and unsustainable taking of wildlife, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has noted.

The killing is largely driven by domestic need for food, local markets and cultural practices exacerbated by weak governance, a UN statement said. It added that while global attention is focussed on high-value illegal international trade that may include migratory species, the majority of these species removed from their habitat are linked to domestic motivations.

The statements were made during the official launch of a special event - Global Initiative on the Taking of Migratory Species (GTI) - during a special even...