Hunting and trade in Papuan bird-of-paradise: Current situation and sustainability

This title has been presented on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 17.15-17.25 GMT+7.

Abstract

This title has been presented on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 17.15-17.25 GMT+7.

Bird-of-paradise has been illegally traded for its beautiful plumage.  The objective of this paper was to study the current situation of the trade and assess the sustainability of the future population, through direct interview to 5 ex-hunters in Asiki (east-central Papua) and visit to the lek trees.  Most trade were based on pre-order from buyers as souvenirs.  Local people hunted the birds using fire gun, when the birds were lekking on tall-emergent trees during breeding season.  After cleaning and drying, the dried plumage-skin was ready to be delivered to buyers. The price ranged IDR 300,000 to 3 million, a handsome amount for additional income to the hunters.  Buyers were mostly army troops members (non-Papuan) who returned back from their tour-of-duty, tourists, and persons who need the skin as gifts or traditional ceremonies.  The bird was able to use the log-over secondary forests.  However, road developments and forest fragmentation threatened their sustainability.  Further, forest conversion to oil-palm and industrial-forest would eliminate their habitat.  If the illegal hunting is still going-on, it might drive this bird into extirpation.  Awareness to buyers is needed, as the skin is demand-driven.  The hunters were actually aware that this species is already prohibited to be hunted.