The Sumba cockatoo ( Cacatua citrinocristata)
The Sumba cockatoo ( Cacatua citrinocristata) clings precariously to existence, its wild
population dwindling at an alarming rate. Habitat loss, primarily driven by deforestation
for agriculture and logging, is a major contributing factor, severely limiting the availability
of crucial nesting trees – a vital resource for breeding and survival. This dwindling
habitat shrinks the already limited range of the species, concentrating the remaining
birds into smaller, more vulnerable pockets. Compounding this ecological pressure is
the persistent threat of illegal trapping for the lucrative pet trade. The high demand for
these striking birds, coupled with weak enforcement of conservation laws, fuels a
relentless poaching cycle, further decimating the already fragile population and
hindering any natural recovery. The combined effect of habitat destruction and illegal
trapping creates a double bind, pushing the Sumba cockatoo ever closer to the brink of
extinction. Urgent and concerted conservation efforts are desperately needed to
address both threats simultaneously if this magnificent bird is to have any hope of a
future in the wild.
During our last trip to the island, with the help from our friend a ranger in the National
Park we managed to see few but considering that we have been doing conservation
fieldwork on the island for many years before, the numbers of cockatoos we saw were
very low in comparison to what we used to. In 2 days, we managed to document about
7 cockatoos in one site and just 2 in another.
Yellow-crested cockatoos
The critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo finds a precarious refuge on Komodo
and Rinca islands, ironically benefiting from the very presence that poses a threat.
These islands enjoy stringent protection primarily due to their famous Komodo dragon
inhabitants. This protection extends to the cockatoos, creating a unique ecological
paradox. While safe from many external threats, the birds face a constant, internal
danger: juvenile Komodo dragons. To escape cannibalism from their larger siblings,
young dragons frequently climb trees, transforming them into unlikely predators of the
cockatoo population. Their appetite for cockatoo eggs, chicks, and even adult birds
creates a significant pressure on the already vulnerable bird population, highlighting the
complex and often unexpected interrelationships within even the most protected
ecosystems. The survival of the yellow-crested cockatoo, therefore, is not simply a
matter of habitat preservation, but also of navigating the intricate dynamics of a
predator-prey relationship within a protected area.
Yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea occidentalis)
Komodo Dragon’s uncertain future
The allure of Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizards, draws a significant influx of
tourists to Komodo Island, a surge that poses a grave threat to their survival. Increased
human presence disrupts the dragons’ natural habitat, affecting their hunting patterns
and breeding cycles. Restricting their movement will in many ways force them into
closer proximity with humans, leading to conflict. The noise and pollution generated by
increased tourism can also stress the Komodo dragons, weakening their immune
systems and making them more susceptible to disease. Ultimately, unchecked mass
tourism promises a bleak future for these iconic creatures, pushing them towards
extinction if drastic measures are not taken to protect their fragile ecosystem.
Other birds seen during the trip
One feral cockatoo species in Bali called Tanimbar cockatoo (Cacatua goffiniana) was also seen during this trip.
Other animals during the trip
