WHITE-EARED NIGHT HERON (GORSACHIUS MGNIFLCUS).

Hill forests of Hainan Island in China. There have been no recent reports of this bird’s presence in its known range and it is presumed extinct (B. King, pers. comm.).

WHITE-EYED RIVER-MARTIN (PSEUD"HEUDON SIRINTARAE).

SE Asia. Political situation in some of the regions over the species’ range have prevented detailed surveys to determine sums. Known to roost in reed beds in marshes and swamps but not many encouraging reports of this species’ presence despite many birdwatchers, over the past decade.

WHITE-HEADED DUCK (OXYUNZ LEUCOCEPHALA).

Winters in Pakistan. Sites need to be completely protected.

WHITE-NAPED CRANE (GROS VIPIO).

East Asia. Wintering in small numbers in Japan and Korea. The breeding sites are not well known but most certainly appear to be in parts of Siberia, Manchuria and Mongolia. Frequents river valleys and paddy cultivation areas. Human persecution and habitat conversion are reported to be the major causes for the decline of this species. Requires urgent monitoring. The wintering populations need to be protected.

WHITT-SHOULDEREDIBIS(PWUDIBISDAVISONI).

Burma, Cambodia, Thailand and northern Malaysia. A widespread species formerly, but has suffered a tremendous decline over thepastfiew decades, largely due to the political hostilities that envelope much of its distributional range. Requires very close and urgent monitoring.

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (HAUTREETUS ALBICILKI).

A widespread bird overparts of Europe and through Eurasia. Winters in northern India and parts of Eastern Asia. A vulnerable species whose populations have been declining over the past few years, mostly due to habitat destruction. Inland jokes and large river valleys. Needs to be closely monitored in the winter range.

WHITE-WINGEDWOOD-DUCK (COITION SCUMIATA).

India, Bangladesh, Thailand. Very small numbers. Reportedly good populations survive in Burma, Kampuchea, Sumatra. Frequents lowland swamp forest Also sheltered pools and snow-flowing streams amidst dense, primary evergreen forest. Much habitat high[ disturbed by commercial logging and poaching. Bes hope for survival seems to be in Sumatra. Derailed surveys required to determine status of the species the Indian region, particularly in north-eastern as same.

WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE (HAUAEETUS LEUCOGASTER).

India. SE China, along the SE Asian coast to Australia. Certainly not a bird in the red but nonetheless, the nesting sites need to be guarded.

WOOD SNIPE (GALLINEIGO, NEMOFICOLA).

Himalaya across to Southwestern China, Malaya, Thailand. Frequents dense cover in marshes and along streams. Not common. Habitat loss chief cause of declining population.

REPTILES

CHINESE ALLIGATOR (ALLIGATOR SINENSIS).

China. In 1984, the total population was estimated at around 2000. Habitat destruction, largely for agriculture has greatly fragmented this population. Also direct persecution of animals. Efforts underway in China to protect the surviving population need all the necessary support.

DARK SOFT-SHELL TURTLE (TRIONYX NIGRICANS).

Bangladesh. Only known population is a semi-domesticated one in the tiny, artificial Bostami Pond. Establishement of additional breading populations needs to be examined.

ESTUARINE CROCODILE (CMCADYLUS PONOSUS).

Southern and Eastern Asia. Very wide range but numbers everywhere are small. Very highly persecuted. Surveys indicate that of the 93 sites it was recorded or is known to occur in, atleast 56 (60 percent) were faced with various kinds and intensities of threat. In Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, good numbers still survive but the overall status is not too encouraging over the rest of the range. Needs continuous monitoring and protection.

FALSE GHARIAL (TOMISTOMA SCHLEGELFI).

South and SE Asia. Freshwater lakes and swamps. Very rare throughout except in Borneo and Sumatra. Excessive habitat destruction. The Directory lists 14 of the 15 sites the species is known to occur in as faced with various threats.

GHARIAL (GAVIALIS GANGETICUS).

Indian subcontinent. Critically endangered over most of its range. Freshwater. Surviving populations mostly small and fragmented except for some of the large protected areas. Captive breeding programmes have met wit some success. Priority species for conservatio action.