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The Zoological
Society of San Diego (ZSSD) has teamed up with the Cook Islands
Government, the Ornithological Society of Polynesia (MANU), the
community of Rimatara, the Aronga Mana of ‘Ātiu and BirdLife
International to undertake a reintroduction program for the Kuhl’s
Lorikeet (Vini kuhlii). The project
involved
translocating twenty-seven of the approximately 900 Kuhl’s Lorikeets from
Rimatara to ‘Ātiu, in the Cook Islands, to establish a back up
population. Of all the types of rats, the Ship Rat presents the biggest
problem to fragile bird populations in French Polynesia and it is
believed they will eventually invade Rimatara. When that happens, the
population of Kuhl’s Lorikeets will be in jeopardy. The island of ‘Ātiu was determined to be free of Ship Rats,
making it a suitable habitat for an introduced population. In
2006, the team applied for CITES permits and import permits as well
as raising funds for the project. The San Diego Zoo estimated portion
will be $18,000. In 2007, a team from the San Diego Zoo, along with
personnel from Tahiti and Cook Islands, captured the lorikeets. The
Cook Islands Task Force made all quarantine and shipping
arrangements. Because there is the risk of introducing disease with the
transferred birds, a disease management strategy was implemented
before and during the transfer.
Please
consider sending a contribution to this worthwhile cause and have the
satisfaction of knowing you have helped save this endangered lory. The
ZSSD is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All contributions are tax
deductible and 100% of your contribution will go towards this project. Please
make checks payable to ZSSD/CRES, put "Rimatara Project" in
the memo and mail to: |
