Protection needed for Cockatoo

Native to islands in eastern Indonesia, the salmon-crested cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) was recently listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Increased risk from logging its rainforest habitat plus the conversion of forest to farmland and the pet trade have all contributed to the decision.

Environmentalists are worried that the expected increase in El Niño extreme weather events will add an additional threat to this species. With a population of just over 62,000 birds, the salmon-crested cockatoo now lives almost exclusively in the lowland rainforests of Seram.

When adding this cockatoo to the ESA list, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service suggested that Indonesia would have to improve implementation of laws and agreements for protection if the bird is to survive. The new status should make traffic of the salmon-crested cockatoo much more difficult.

Since salmon-crested cockatoos are quite common as pets in the U.S.A., the FWS are to apply a special rule from next month permitting interstate commerce of birds already in the country. The import and export of salmon-crested cockatoos captured before January 18, 1990 will be permitted only in accordance with special conditions. Importing and exporting salmon-crested cockatoos captured after January 1990 will be strictly forbidden, except with an EPA permit.

Source: www.mongabay.com  

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