Sundarbans Finfoot Research Project
Key species
Masked Finfoot
Location
Sundarbans
Status
Active
Duration
15 Years +
Target community
Scientists | Conservationists NGOs | Govt.
About the project
The Masked Finfoot is globally listed as Critically Endangered due to its extremely small and declining population across Asia. The eastern part of the Bangladesh Sundarbans supports the only known resident breeding population of the species in the Indian Subcontinent, with an estimated 40–80 breeding pairs, making it one of the most important remaining strongholds worldwide.
Between 2011 and 2013, the Sundarbans Finfoot Research Project conducted the first systematic research on the Masked Finfoot in Bangladesh, generating baseline data on distribution, breeding creeks, and population size. After a gap, research was restarted in 2024 and is currently ongoing, with renewed field surveys, mapping, and stakeholder engagement to update population estimates, identify critical creeks, assess current threats and dependancy on crab populations.
This project focuses specifically on strengthening conservation action for the Masked Finfoot within the Bangladesh Sundarbans through rigorous field research and policy engagement.
The problem
– the breeding population size, nesting density, breeding ecology and distribution of the Masked Finfoot in the Bangladesh Sundarbans were largely unknown prior to systematic research
– key breeding creeks and associated threats had not been comprehensively identified or mapped
– ecological factors influencing nesting success and long-term population stability remained unclear
The cause
– very limited surveys had been conducted before 2011
– absence of systematic ecological studies and monitoring across the Sundarbans
– lack of ecological data linking habitat conditions to reproduction and population trends
– threats within the Sundarbans were poorly documented, hindering targeted conservation planning
The solution
– conduct systematic breeding-season surveys to establish baseline population data and document breeding ecology
– identify and map key breeding creeks across the Sundarbans
– undertake ecological studies to understand habitat requirements and drivers of population change
– provide scientific evidence to inform and support conservation actions by the Government of Bangladesh and relevant regional partners
Project Goal
Survival of the Masked Finfoot in the Bangladesh Sundarbans through science-based conservation and government collaboration.
Project Objectives
Phase I: baseline research (2011–2013)
– conduct the first systematic surveys in the Bangladesh Sundarbans to estimate population size and identify key breeding creeks
– document breeding biology and habitat characteristics of occupied creeks
– assess threats, including hunting and egg collection, through field observations and local interviews
– generate baseline data to inform national and global conservation assessments
Phase II: recent research and conservation action (2024–present)
– revisit previously surveyed creeks to update population trends using nest counts
– conduct ecological studies to understand ecosystem-driven population decline
– reassess current threats and compare with baseline findings
Activities
Phase I: baseline research (2011–2014)
– conducted systematic breeding-season surveys across the eastern Sundarbans
– surveyed 344 km of waterways to locate nests and identify breeding creeks
– monitored 25 nests and recorded detailed nest-site characteristics
– deployed camera traps to document breeding behaviour, incubation, and predation
– collected habitat data including vegetation type, creek width, and nesting substrates
– carried out community outreach and awareness activities in buffer-zone villages
Phase II: recent research & conservation action (2024–present)
– mapped creeks across the Sundarbans using GIS and Sentinel-2 imagery
– applied stratified sampling to prioritise survey grid cells
– conducted breeding-season expeditions to revisit historic and newly identified creeks
– recorded nest locations and collected ecological data such as salinity, habitat condition and prey density (crab)
– assessed disturbance levels, including fishing activity and human presence
– engaged Bangladesh Forest Department and IUCN Bangladesh in monitoring efforts
Outcomes
Phase I: baseline research (2011–2014)
– produced the first nest-based breeding population estimate for the Bangladesh Sundarbans
– identified key breeding hotspots concentrated in eastern Sundarbans
– generated baseline ecological data on nesting habitat and breeding behaviour
– documented threats including egg collection and disturbance
– published peer-reviewed findings that informed national and international conservation assessments
Phase II: recent research & conservation outcomes (2024–present)
– established a stratified monitoring framework covering the eastern breeding range
– updated breeding records confirming continued but low nest density
– generated new ecological datasets enabling assessment of habitat-driven population change
– improved understanding of current disturbance levels in breeding creeks
– strengthened collaboration with various stakeholders
𓅣 Nesting Ecology and Habitat Preference of the Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus in Sundarbans, Bangladesh | Waterbirds 40-4 (2020): 410–416.
𓅣 Observations on the breeding of the Endangered Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus in Bangladesh | Forktail 30 (2014): 84–89.
𓅣 The status and distribution of the Masked Finfoot – Asia’s next avian extinction? | Forktail 36 (2020): 16–24.
Meet the Team
Dr. Sayam U. Chowdhury
Principal Investigator
Nazim Uddin Khan
Co-Investigator
Mohammod Foysal
Co-Investigator
Professor Rhys Green
Advisor [Research]
Dr. Ding Li Yong
Paul Insau-Cao
Advisor [Conservation]
Image Library
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