Program: Red-and-blue Lory Conservation
The Red-and-blue Lory (Eos histrio) is native to the Sangihe and Talaud island groups in Indonesia. The Sangihe population is now likely extinct. The remaining birds exist almost exclusively on Karakelang and formerly on Salebabu and Kabaruang in the Talaud Islands.
The last wild population is endangered by habitat loss and overexploitation for the wild bird trade. The Talauds' people face significant economic challenges that compel some to turn to parrot trapping as a source of income. Agricultural practices also pose concerns through the use of pesticides on locusts, which are consumed by Red-and-blue Lories. In addition, there is a limited understanding of threats to the lories' breeding success.
Beginning in 2013, the WPT has been assisting in the rescue and rehabilitation of Red-and-blue Lories confiscated from the wild bird trade and sent to the Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue and Education Centre in Indonesia. Since then, more have been seized in efforts to stop their trade. Work will focus on implementing reintroduction programs, community engagement, regulatory enforcement and targeted research into all aspects of trade.
WPT and its partners have supported:
- Confiscation and release                                            Releasing birds back into the wild under structured protocols, which include soft release, environmental acclimation, health checks, and disease screening to improve their chances of survival.
- Field surveys and population studies                                Conducting field surveys to assess current population sizes, map threats, locate nest sites, and understand the effects of trapping, habitat loss and pesticide use.
- Community engagement and local partner training            Working with local communities to raise awareness about the effects of trapping, training teams in nest monitoring and protection, and supporting nest box installations.
- Law enforcement and interruption of trade                         Collaborating with law enforcement agencies, forestry departments, and NGOs in confiscations, streamlining veterinary triage for seized birds, ringing birds for identification, and reducing the onward trade via transit routes.
- Scientific and health oversight                                       Setting up protocols for disease screening, health and body‑condition assessments to ensure that birds that can be released are fit, and that wild populations are not exposed to new pathogens.
The future of Red-and-blue Lories is improving thanks to multiple concerted efforts by individuals and organisations.
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