Bahir Dar Dec. 26(ENA)--'Sorene', one of the Ethiopian endemic birds, was on the verge of extinction, the Amhara state agriculture bureau said.

Wild life expert with the bureau, Woldegebriel Gebrekidan, quoted a study paper as saying that 'sorene' was classified in the category of endemic birds in the world under extermination.

The expert attributed the precarious condition of the bird to the ever increasing hunting of the avis for medicinal purposes, he said, adding that its habitat has also been destroyed due to clearing of forests for farming and construction of residential units.

He said 'Sorene' is currently found in North Shoa and North Gondar zones of the Amhara State.

The bureau and the Ethiopian Natural Resource History Association were distributing posters bearing the picture of the bird with a view to saving the species from extinction.

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