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The Horned parakeet (Eunymphicus cornutus) and the New-Caledonian parakeet (Cyanoramphus saisetti) are endemic to mainland New Caledonia. The IUCN rates the species as respectively endangered and near-threatened. However, no scientific research has been done so far on the ecology of Horned and New-Caledonian parakeets. Poaching is probably not an important threat to these mainland species, but habitat loss and alien species are likely to be major threats. Before any conservation measures can be developed, it is necessary to find out why the parakeet populations decline and to develop efficient methods for their protection. The local conservation authorities therefore need definite information about the threats to those parakeets. Thus, the aim of this research is to clarify whether the observed declines in Horned parakeet and New-Caledonian parakeet populations are linked to habitat loss or predation by introduced mammals (or a combination of both).
To obtain the necessary information, this project is being undertaken by Dr Jörn Theuerkauf and Sophie Rouys, associated in New Caledonia with the Laboratoire d’Etudes des Ressources Vivantes et de l’Environnement Marin, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Their project activities are to study the parakeets by:
(1) direct observations to document diet, group structure, and behaviour,
(2) nest monitoring with infrared video cameras to determine predators of parakeets and their predation rates on eggs and chicks,
(3) radio-tracking to assess home range use and habitat selection,
(4) censuses of parakeets in different sites of New Caledonia to assess the impact of habitat and introduced mammals on population density of parakeets,
(5) using a Geographic Information System (GIS) for spatial analyses and modelling
the distribution of parakeets in New Caledonia.
The project intends to identify which management actions are required in order to sustain viable populations. It will also develop and test effective measures to prevent predation by introduced mammals, and identify areas on the mainland of New Caledonia that are suitable to carry viable populations of parakeets
This project is done in close co-operation with the natural resources departments of the Northern and Southern Provinces of New Caledonia to ensure that results are immediately applied to the conservation of the parakeets in nature reserves. We also co-operate with the local association for nature protection through which our results are made available to the local public. All data obtained will be published in international scientific journals in order to contribute to the general knowledge about parakeets, the impact of introduced species and the management of insular wildlife.
The LPF is providing funds to this project from 2005.
Financial support:€9,600