Red-and-blue Lory

(Eos histrio)

Project Status: Active | 2013 - current

Collaborators/Funders

Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue and Education Centre, Kompak, Forestry Research Institute in Manado (Balai Penelitian Kehutanan) and the North Sulawesi Provincial Department for Conservation of Natural Resources (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Sulawesi Utara)

Lories now likely exist on only one island

The last wild population of Red-and-blue Lories is jeopardized by habitat loss and trapping for the wild bird trade.

Progress and outcomes: In 2013 WPT was called upon to assist the rescue and rehabilitation of 95 Red-and-blue Lories confiscated from the wild bird trade in Indonesia and placed at the Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue and Education Centre.

After a period of time for rehabilitation 60+ birds were released back to the wild. A small number of birds were unreleasable due to permanent wing and feather damage. Those birds will be retained for an in-situ breeding and release program.

Focus of future work: WPT has provided funds to cover the cost of the care and housing of birds to be returned to the wild, and working with Indonesian partners, local forestry staff, and wildlife agencies:

Carrying out population counts
Gathering data about the effects of trade on the population
Locating and protecting nest sites
Training local forestry workers in tree-climbing and nest management and protection
Working with local wildlife enforcement agencies to confiscate birds from traders
Educating communities in the region about the illegality of poaching the birds

With your help we can protect the remaining population of Red-and-blue Lories.

{projects_take-action}

IUCN/CITES Status: Endangered / Appendix I

World population: As low as 1000

Where found: E.h. histrio: Sangihe Islands, Indonesia. Possibly extinct.
E.h. talautensis: Talaud Islands (likely only Karakelang), Indonesia
E.h. challengeri: Nanusa Islands, Indonesia.

History: Now confined almost entirely to the island of Karakelang off of N Sulawesi in Indonesia, the Red-and-blue Lory (Eos histrio) has declined rapidly from a population of between 8000 - 21,000 birds in 1999 to a possible low of 1000. The nominate subspecies on Sangihe Island is probably now extinct.

Threats:

Habitat loss - the main factor in its disappearance from Sangihe
Wild bird trade - widely trapped as early as the 19th century
Widespread use of insecticides may affect population
Disease spread from caged birds a potential hazard

Ecology: The Red-and-blue Lory is found in forest and cultivated areas up to 1250m (4100 ft). It feeds on pollen, nectar, fruit and insects and flowering coconut palms. Birds are most commonly seen flying in groups of up to ten. Large numbers gather together to roost; they are very vocal at these gatherings.