Nigeria, March 31 -- Parties at the United Nations wildlife conservation summit have agreed to expand protection for dozens of migratory species, amid growing evidence that many are moving closer to extinction.

This was the hallmark decision reached at the just-concluded 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) in Brazil on Sunday.

"Confronted with stark new evidence that many migratory species are moving closer to extinction, governments at a major UN wildlife conservation meeting today agreed on expanded conservation efforts, including new or enhanced treaty protections for 40 species and populations of birds, aquatic wildlife, and terrestrial animals," a s...