|
|---|
Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$Photo1 in /var/www/vhosts/virtualzoo/classifications/display.php on line 584
| Subspecies: | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Est. World Population: | 570-1200 |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Endangered |
| U.S. ESA Status: | NOT LISTED |
| Body Length: | |
| Tail Length: | |
| Shoulder Height: | |
| Weight: | |
| Top Speed: | |
| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
| Litter Size: | |
| Gestation Period: | |
Though the species was formerly found only in dense forest, where it feeds on fruit from a variety of native and introduced trees, it has recently spread into secondary habitats and even gardens (Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Pratt et al. 1987, Thibault and Guyot 1987, Thibault and Cibois 2006). It is now an important seed disperser on Makatea, accelerating the spread of native forest into areas which had been mined (Thibault and Cibois 2006).
Ducula aurorae is known from Tahiti in the Society Islands and Makatea in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. On Tahiti, it may already be extinct, it was restricted to the Papeno`o and Hitia`a valleys in 1986-1990 (Monnet et al. 1993), but none were reported in 1998 and in 2006 it was considered unlikely to persist (Thibault and Cibois 2006). On Makatea, the population was judged to lie between 100 and 500 individuals in 1986-1987, but have since increased following a reduction in hunting (Thibault and Guyot 1987, Thibault and Cibois 2006). A survey on Makatea in 2009 estimated the total population size at 1,206 individuals (95% C. I., 867-1,677) (Albar et al. 2009, 2010). This appears to be a genuine population increase, perhaps related to the cessation of mining activities and reduction of the human population on Makatea. There are also fossil records indicating that it was once more widespread, including in the Southern Cook Islands (Steadman 1989).
On Tahiti, a year-long study in 1998 collected information from the inhabitants of the valleys where it was last recorded (J.-C. Thibault in litt. 2000). Work was carried out in 2009 by Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie Manu to determine the population size of the species through distance sampling (Albar et al. 2009, 2010). Conservation Actions Proposed
On Makatea, resurvey the population (P. Raust in litt. 1999) in order to assess both numbers and distribution within primary and regenerating forest.
On Tahiti, conduct field surveys to confirm its extirpation. Ensure C. approximans does not become established on Makeata by developing a reporting system for residents. Eradicate C. approximans from Tahiti and the Society Islands to prevent it spreading to Makatea. Oppose plans for a large runway on Makatea, support instead plans for a smaller runway. Continue to oppose plans for phosphate mining on Makatea. Consider captive breeding and reintroduction to Tahiti.