Degree of egg-taking by humans determines the fate of maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) nesting grounds across Sulawesi

The version of record of this article, first published in Biodiversity and Conservation, is available online at Publisher’s website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-022-02527-1The maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) of Sulawesi, Indonesia, is culturally iconic and Critically Endangered, but the causes of its decline have never been systematically analyzed nor its nesting grounds comprehensively surveyed. We visited 122 previously known and 58 previously unrecorded sites, collecting data and interviewing local people at each site. We used ordinal logistic regression to fit models with combinations of 18 different predation, habitat, and nesting ground variables to determine the strongest predictors of nesting ground success, as represented by maleo numbers. At least 56% of known nesting grounds are now inactive (abandoned), and 63% of remaining active sites host ≤ 2 pairs/day at peak season. Egg-taking by humans is the single biggest driver of maleo decline. Protecting eggs in situ predicts higher numbers than protecting eggs through hatchery methods. After egg-taking, quality (not length) of the travel corridor connecting nesting ground to primary forest best predicts nesting ground success. Being inside a federally protected area is not a primary driver of success, and does not ensure persistence: 28% of federally protected nesting grounds have become inactive. Local conservation efforts protected nesting grounds 2‒3 times better than federal protection. We update the methodology for assessing nesting ground status, and recommend five measures for maleo conservation, the foremost being to protect nesting grounds from egg-taking by humans at all remaining active sites

Degree of egg-taking by humans determines the fate of maleo ( Macrocephalon maleo ) nesting grounds across Sulawesi

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2022-07-04, rev-recd 2022-07-04, registration 2022-11-28, accepted 2022-11-28, epub 2022-12-17, online 2022-12-17, ppub 2023-03Acknowledgements: We offer sincere thanks to all those, including many not specifically named here, whose assistance made this project possible. We thank RISTEK/BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), under whose permission MS does research in Indonesia. We thank the leaders and staff of Taman Nasional Bogani Nani Wartabone, Lore Lindu, and Rawa Aopa Watumohai; Cagar Alam Morowali, Tangkoko, Panua, and Tanjung Api; and Suaka Margasatwa Panua, Tanjung Matop, Pati-Pati, Tanjung Batikolo, Lambusango, Buton Utara, and Bangkiriang. We thank the leaders and staff of BKSDA (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam) offices in all provinces of Sulawesi, who provided helpful information about maleos, currently and historically. We thank the nearly 200 village heads who gave us permission to traverse or survey maleo sites in their jurisdictions; the 150+ local people and authorities who generously talked with us about maleos; and the 200+ local guides and assistants who helped us find and access the sites. We thank our drivers, especially Kiply, Ofan, Risno, Leo, and Upang. We thank Iwan Hunowu and Herman Teguh, who helped with the survey but were unable to be listed as co-authors. We thank Sukendra Mahalaya, Kasman, Peter Robertson, Dave Tosh, Yandhi Febrianti, Stevano Puasa, and many others who helped in various ways. We thank The Biodiversity Consultancy, the International Conservation Fund of Canada, and hundreds of private donors who helped fund the project.Publication status: PublishedThe maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) of Sulawesi, Indonesia, is culturally iconic and Critically Endangered, but the causes of its decline have never been systematically analyzed nor its nesting grounds comprehensively surveyed. We visited 122 previously known and 58 previously unrecorded sites, collecting data and interviewing local people at each site. We used ordinal logistic regression to fit models with combinations of 18 different predation, habitat, and nesting ground variables to determine the strongest predictors of nesting ground success, as represented by maleo numbers. At least 56% of known nesting grounds are now inactive (abandoned), and 63% of remaining active sites host ≤ 2 pairs/day at peak season. Egg-taking by humans is the single biggest driver of maleo decline. Protecting eggs in situ predicts higher maleo numbers than protecting eggs through hatchery methods. After egg-taking, quality (not length) of the travel corridor connecting nesting ground to primary forest best predicts nesting ground success. Being inside a federally protected area is not a primary driver of success, and does not ensure persistence: 28% of federally protected nesting grounds have become inactive. Local conservation efforts protected nesting grounds 2‒3 times better than federal protection. We update the methodology for assessing nesting ground status, and recommend five measures for maleo conservation, the foremost being to protect nesting grounds from egg-taking by humans at all remaining active sites