Priority sites for conservation of maleos (Macrocephalon maleo) in central Sulawesi Original Research Article

The maleo, one of Sulawesiʹs endemic birds, is a megapode that nests communally on solar-heated beaches and geothermally heated forest soils. It is vulnerable to extinction mainly because of over-collection of eggs by humans. We surveyed 20 previously known nesting grounds in central and south Sulawesi, and located 43 new confirmed sites. However, 20 (31.7%) have already been abandoned, 39 (61.9%) are threatened or severely threatened, and only four sites (6.3%) are not yet threatened by egg-collection and habitat destruction. Approximately 70% of populations are declining, and only half of the active sites are officially protected. We recommend eight priority areas where efforts to conserve maleos should be focused. Combining our results with previous data from north Sulawesi, we estimate a global population of 4000–7000 breeding pairs, and a total of 131 confirmed nesting grounds. Of the 119 sites whose present status is known, 42 nesting grounds (35.3%) have already been abandoned, and only five (4.2%) are not yet threatened.