Mastodawn

Mountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

Location: Colombia, Ecuador, northern Peru

Mountain Tapirs inhabit the high Andean cloud forests and páramos above 2,000 metres in the northern Andes. They are found in Colombia’s Central and Eastern Cordilleras, throughout Ecuador including Sangay and Podocarpus National Parks, and into northern Peru, notably in Cajamarca and Lambayeque.

The Mountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque is one of the most threatened large mammals in the northern Andes, currently listed as Endangered. Their populations have declined by over 50% in the past three decades due to habitat loss, illegal hunting, climate change, and rampant mining. With fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remaining, they are quietly disappearing from their mist-shrouded mountain homes. Human encroachment, infrastructure development, and cattle grazing now invade their last strongholds. Without urgent action, they may vanish forever. Use your wallet as a weapon and fight back when you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife and be #BoycottGold

https://youtu.be/2hqFZVgMZAA

Sweet-natured Mountain #Tapirs of #Ecuador 🇪🇨 #Peru 🇵🇪 and #Colombia 🇨🇴 face serious threats incl. illegal crops, #gold #mining, #palmoil #deforestation and hunting. Help them survive #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️#BoycottGold 🥇⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/12/28/mountain-tapir-tapirus-pinchaque/

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The Wooly #Tapir AKA Mountain Tapir gives birth to one calf at a time 🩷😻 They’re #endangered due to a many threats: #climatechange and #pollution from #gold mining. Resist for them! #BoycottPalmOil #BoycottGold 🥇☠️❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/12/28/mountain-tapir-tapirus-pinchaque/

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Appearance & Behaviour

Also known as the woolly tapir for their thick, dark, shaggy coat, Mountain Tapirs are built to survive in the cold, damp cloud forests and páramo grasslands. Their dense fur, white lips, and prehensile snout give them an almost prehistoric appearance. These solitary and elusive mammals are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, navigating dense foliage with ease. Once thought to be loners, long-term studies in Ecuador have revealed that they form small, close-knit family groups, with calves gradually dispersing over several years (Castellanos et al., 2022).

Threats

Deforestation for palm oil, meat agriculture and illicit opium/coca cultivation

Large swathes of Andean cloud forest and páramo are being cleared to make way for palm oil agricultural expansion, cattle grazing, and opium or coca cultivation. These activities are not only destroying core habitat but also breaking up previously connected populations, leaving tapirs isolated and vulnerable to local extinctions. The introduction of cattle into remote tapir refuges has become increasingly common, even inside designated national parks such as Sangay in Ecuador. This leads to trampling of sensitive vegetation, direct competition for food, and destruction of the unique montane ecosystems that Mountain Tapirs rely on for survival.

Illegal hunting for meat, traditional medicine, and cultural uses

Although hunting pressure has declined slightly in Ecuador due to greater public awareness, it remains severe in Colombia and Peru. Tapirs are killed for their meat, and their skins are used to make traditional tools, horse gear, carpets, and bed covers. Additionally, body parts are sold in local markets or prescribed by shamans for use in traditional medicine. In many remote areas, Mountain Tapirs are still being actively poached, and it is now rare to find populations that are not affected by some form of overhunting.

Gold mining and illegal mining causing deforestation and poisoning of ecosystems

Gold mining projects in the northern Peruvian Andes and central Colombia are rapidly destroying the last cloud forest headwaters and páramo ecosystems where tapirs persist. Both legal and illegal mining operations contaminate streams and watersheds with heavy metals and toxic runoff, which has severe consequences for both tapirs and the human communities downstream. Mining also brings roads, noise, and human settlements into previously inaccessible areas, increasing hunting pressure and reducing available habitat. In some parts of Peru, nearly 30% of the Mountain Tapir’s current range now overlaps with active or planned gold mining concessions (More et al., 2022).

Climate change pushing tapirs further uphill into shrinking habitat

As global temperatures rise, the high-elevation ecosystems where Mountain Tapirs live are shrinking. Suitable climate zones are shifting higher up the mountains, but because mountains have limited space at the top, this forces tapirs into ever smaller areas with fewer food resources. This phenomenon, known as “the escalator to extinction,” is especially dangerous for highland species like the Mountain Tapir, who cannot move downward into warmer zones. Climate change also alters rainfall patterns and vegetation cycles, further straining the species’ delicate habitat requirements.

Road construction and vehicle collisions within protected areas

Infrastructure development is rapidly cutting through mountainous areas, including roads that bisect national parks and reserves. This not only fragments tapir habitat but also leads to direct deaths through vehicle collisions. Once roads are completed, traffic speeds increase and tapirs crossing roads—especially at dawn and dusk—become highly vulnerable. Roads also make previously remote areas more accessible to poachers, settlers, and resource extractors, while local governments often lack sufficient ranger staff to monitor and protect these newly exposed areas.

Fumigation campaigns using toxic chemicals to eradicate drug crops

In Colombia, the government authorises aerial fumigation of coca and poppy fields using glyphosate-based herbicides like Round-Up. These chemicals are sprayed over wide areas, including forests and National Parks, contaminating soil, plants, and water sources. Mountain Tapirs can absorb these toxins through skin contact or ingestion, potentially leading to illness, reproductive failure, or death. Fumigation also destroys native plants that tapirs rely on for food, further decreasing habitat quality in affected areas.

Widespread introduction of cattle and the threat of disease transmission

Domestic cattle are increasingly being introduced into mountain tapir habitat, especially within protected areas where enforcement is weak. These animals not only compete with tapirs for forage but also carry diseases such as bovine tuberculosis and foot-and-mouth disease. Disease outbreaks have already been documented among tapirs in other parts of Latin America and pose a serious threat to small, isolated populations. In the Andes, cattle often form feral herds that reproduce and spread deep into cloud forests, further eroding habitat integrity and increasing the risk of tapir extinction.

Weak enforcement of environmental laws and lack of large protected areas in Peru

Although some Mountain Tapir habitat falls within designated protected areas, law enforcement in Peru is generally under-resourced and poorly coordinated. Rangers are too few to patrol vast mountainous regions effectively, and illegal activities such as mining, logging, and hunting continue within protected boundaries. Furthermore, most reserves are too small or fragmented to support viable tapir populations over the long term. Without stronger policies, larger protected zones, and meaningful binational cooperation with Ecuador and Colombia, tapirs in Peru face an uncertain future.

Low reproductive rate and slow population recovery

Mountain Tapirs have a long gestation period of around 13 months and typically produce only one calf at a time, meaning population growth is inherently slow. When combined with high mortality from hunting, roadkill, and disease, their populations cannot recover quickly from losses. Calves stay with their mothers for extended periods, further limiting reproductive output. This slow life cycle makes the species particularly vulnerable to sudden or sustained threats across their fragmented range.

Geographic Range

This species is found in the high Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and northernmost Peru. In Colombia, they are present in the Central and Eastern Cordilleras but are absent from the Western Cordillera and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. In Ecuador, they range from the central Andes down through Sangay National Park to Podocarpus, with new records emerging from previously unconnected areas in the western Andes. In Peru, they occur north and south of the Huancabamba River in Cajamarca and Lambayeque (More et al., 2022). The total range in Peru is estimated at 183,000 hectares, but mining concessions cover nearly 30% of this habitat.

Diet

Mountain Tapirs are browsers, feeding on a wide variety of vegetation including leaves, shoots, fruits, and bromeliads. Their diet varies depending on the availability of plants within their high-altitude habitats, playing an important role as seed dispersers within these fragile ecosystems.

Mating and Reproduction

Mountain Tapirs have a slow reproductive rate, with a gestation period of approximately 13 months. Females typically give birth to a single calf, which stays with them for several months or even years before dispersing. Calves are born with white stripes and spots that fade as they mature. Their slow breeding cycle makes it difficult for populations to recover from hunting and habitat loss.

FAQs

How many Mountain Tapirs are left in the wild?

Fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain in the wild, and the population is continuing to decline by at least 20% every two decades due to ongoing threats like habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change (IUCN, 2015).

What is the average lifespan of a Mountain Tapir?

In the wild, Mountain Tapirs may live up to 25 years, though this is significantly affected by environmental threats. Captive individuals can live slightly longer under safe and controlled conditions.

What are the biggest challenges to conserving Mountain Tapirs?

Major challenges include habitat fragmentation due to road construction, agriculture, and mining; the presence of armed conflict zones that hinder research and protection; and the slow reproduction rate of the species, which makes population recovery difficult (Guzmán-Valencia et al., 2024; More et al., 2022).

Do Mountain Tapirs make good pets?

No. Keeping a Mountain Tapir as a pet is unethical and illegal. These intelligent, solitary animals require large, wild habitats to survive. Capturing and trading them causes immense suffering and drives the species further toward extinction. Advocating against the exotic pet trade is vital to their survival.

Take Action!

Boycott palm oil and products linked to Andean deforestation. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology initiatives in the Andes. Call for stronger protections against mining and deforestation in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Refuse to buy exotic animal products, including those used in folk medicine. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

Support Mountain Tapirs by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Castellanos, A., Dadone, L., Ascanta, M., & Pukazhenthi, B. (2022). Andean tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) social groups and calf dispersal patterns in Ecuador. Boletín Técnico, Serie Zoológica, 17, 9–14. Retrieved from https://journal.espe.edu.ec/ojs/index.php/revista-serie-zoologica/article/view/2858

Delborgo Abra, F., Medici, P., Brenes-Mora, E., & Castelhanos, A. (2024). The Impact of Roads and Traffic on Tapir Species. In Tapirs of the World (pp. 157–165). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65311-7_10

Guzmán-Valencia, C., Castrillón, L., Roncancio Duque, N., & Márquez, R. (2024). Co-Occurrence, Occupancy and Habitat Use of the Andean Bear and Mountain Tapir: Insights for Conservation Management in the Colombian Andes. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5061561

Lizcano, D.J., Amanzo, J., Castellanos, A., Tapia, A. & Lopez-Malaga, C.M. 2016. Tapirus pinchaque. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T21473A45173922. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T21473A45173922.en. Accessed on 06 April 2025.

More, A., Devenish, C., Carrillo-Tavara, K., Piana, R. P., Lopez-Malaga, C., Vega-Guarderas, Z., & Nuñez-Cortez, E. (2022). Distribution and conservation status of the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) in Peru. Journal for Nature Conservation, 66, 126130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126130

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Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNG

Mountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque

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Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

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Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

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Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii

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Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

Keep reading

Ecuadorean Viscacha Lagidium ahuacaense

Keep reading

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazards

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

#animals #Bantrophyhunting #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottGold #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #cattle #climateChange #climatechange #Colombia #deforestation #Ecuador #endangered #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #gold #herbivore #herbivores #hunting #infrastructure #lowlandTapir #Mammal #mammals #mining #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #Peru #poaching #pollution #Tapir #Tapirs #ungulate #ungulates #vegan

Palm Oil Detectives Dec 13

Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR)

Location: Vietnam and Laos

The Saola is an extremely rare #antelope species is restricted to the Annamite Mountains along the border of Laos and Vietnam. In Vietnam, they occur in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua-Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces. In Laos, they have been recorded in Xieng Khouang, Bolikhamxay, Khammouan, Savannakhet and Xekong provinces, generally within remote wet evergreen forests.

The elusive #Saola is one of the rarest and most mysterious animals on Earth. Described as Southeast Asia’s ‘unicorn’, this Critically Endangered #antelope is facing imminent #extinction due to indiscriminate snaring, illegal hunting, and #deforestation. No Saolas survive in captivity, and their numbers in the wild are estimated at fewer than 100. They are collateral victims of the region’s rampant #bushmeat and illegal wildlife trade, with their decline accelerated by roads, logging and expanding human access. Use your wallet as a weapon. To help the world’s rarest antelope and make sure you avoid all wildlife products, be #Vegan and choose #palmoilfree items. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/Y6mnFEbNmsM

Known as the ‘Asian #Unicorn’ the #Saola is like a wild #cow or #antelope 🐮🩷 They face unparalleled threats including #deforestation. Only around 100 now remain alive 😭 Be #Vegan for them 🥦 #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🩸☠️🔥🧐⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-beE

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Shy, elusive and gentle #Saolas 🐮🐄 have beautiful facial markings. Known as Asian #Unicorns they’re the rarest hoofed #mammal alive. Just a handful remain. Fight for them when you shop, be #vegan and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-beE

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Appearance & Behaviour

The Saola is a curious looking #ungulate often described as being antelope-like in appearance, yet they are more closely related to wild cattle. They have a sleek, chocolate-brown coat, with striking white markings on the face and long, gently curved horns that can grow up to 50 centimetres for both sexes. These parallel horns have earned them the nickname the ‘Asian Unicorn.’

Highly secretive and shy, Saolas are rarely seen even by local indigenous people, and much of what we know comes from a handful of camera-trap images and village interviews. Saolas are solitary ungulates or found in small groups and may use scent glands to mark their territories. Saolas appear to favour lower altitudes during the dry season and may migrate with seasonal changes in water and vegetation.

Threats

Widespread snaring and indiscriminate hunting

The primary threat to Saola survival is indiscriminate snaring across their forest habitat. These wire snares are set to catch a variety of animals like wild pigs, civets and muntjacs, but Saolas are frequently caught as bycatch. Because Saolas are not specifically targeted, their deaths often go unnoticed or unreported. The sheer density of snares—sometimes thousands per square kilometre—means that even extremely rare species like the Saola are at constant risk of entrapment.

Bushmeat and traditional medicine trade

Despite not being valued specifically for their meat or body parts, Saolas are still victims of Southeast Asia’s booming wildlife trade. They are often killed and consumed locally or caught up in snares set for animals more widely traded or consumed for bushmeat and medicinal purposes. The expansion of disposable income and demand for wild meat and medicinal wildlife products in Vietnam and China is driving this crisis. Villagers report a sharp drop in sightings, indicating Saolas are being wiped out as collateral damage in this unregulated trade.

Road construction and increased human access

The rapid expansion of roads such as the Ho Chi Minh Road and the East-West Economic Corridor has fragmented Saola habitat and created unprecedented access for poachers. These roads allow motorbikes and trucks to transport wildlife quickly to urban markets, making illegal hunting more efficient. The increased accessibility also brings in thousands of forest product collectors who opportunistically snare wildlife. Road development directly and indirectly fuels the extinction of Saolas by opening up remote refuges once safe from exploitation.

Deforestation for monocultures like palm oil

Although hunting is the most immediate threat, habitat loss is an intensifying danger due to shifting agriculture, logging, mining and hydropower development. The Annamite forests are being carved up into ever smaller fragments, making it harder for Saola populations to remain connected. Forest blocks under 100 km² are likely uninhabitable for Saolas, who depend on large tracts of wet evergreen forest with low human disturbance. As development pressures mount, remaining habitat is also degraded by noise, pollution and human presence.

Ineffective protected area management

While Saolas occur in several designated protected areas, most of these offer little real protection from hunting. Enforcement is weak or absent, and many parks are under pressure from the same road construction and development projects that threaten unprotected forests. In some cases, protected areas themselves have become conduits for illegal activities like poaching and logging. Without strong enforcement and dedicated anti-snare patrols, protected status does little to ensure Saola survival.

Population isolation and low genetic diversity

Saola populations are now so small and fragmented that individuals may be isolated from one another for breeding. The species’ naturally low densities and secretive behaviour are further compounded by habitat fragmentation and snaring. This isolation increases the risk of inbreeding and local extinctions. If individuals can no longer find mates or suitable territory, the population could collapse without ever being noticed.

Climate and ecological constraints

Saolas are highly specialised to wet evergreen forests, which are rare and shrinking. Their apparent absence from degraded or secondary forests suggests they may be intolerant of even moderate ecological change. Unlike more adaptable species such as pigs or muntjacs, Saolas do not seem able to survive in altered landscapes. As climate patterns shift and dry seasons become more severe, even their last refuges may become inhospitable.

Rising wealth fuelling wildlife demand

Contrary to assumptions that poverty drives biodiversity loss, it is rising wealth and urban demand that most endanger Saolas. Affluent consumers in Vietnam and China are fuelling the demand for exotic meats and traditional medicine, spurring illegal hunting. The status-driven consumption of wildlife products—rather than subsistence need—is a primary force behind the escalating poaching crisis. Until demand is curbed at the source, rare species like the Saola will continue to vanish.

Geographic Range

The Saola is found exclusively in the Annamite Mountains along the border of Laos and Vietnam. In Vietnam, they are recorded from Nghe An to Quang Nam provinces. In Laos, they occur in Xieng Khouang, Bolikhamxay, Khammouan, Savannakhet and Xekong provinces.

Their historical range has shrunk drastically, and they are now believed to be confined to fewer than 10 forest blocks, with an estimated area of occupancy likely under 1,000 km². They are absent from small forest fragments and likely restricted to remote, difficult-to-access areas with lower hunting pressure.

Diet

The Saola is a #herbivore and a browser, feeding mainly on tender leaves, shoots, and possibly fruit. Their diet likely consists of foliage from forest understorey plants, but detailed studies are lacking due to the species’ extreme rarity and secretive nature.

Mating and Reproduction

Very little is known about Saola reproduction. Local reports suggest they give birth to a single calf, and births may occur in the summer. Their generation time is thought to be longer than that of sympatric species like muntjacs or pigs, with lower reproductive output. No captive births have ever occurred.

FAQs

How many Saolas are left in the wild?

Estimates suggest there are fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild, with a likely number of under 250 mature individuals (IUCN SSC, 2020). No confirmed sightings have occurred since 2013, and the vast majority of reports come from indirect sources such as camera traps or local accounts.

Do Saolas make good pets?

Absolutely not. Saolas are wild, elusive, and cannot survive in captivity. Every individual removed from the wild brings them closer to extinction. Keeping or capturing Saolas is illegal and a direct threat to their survival.

Why are Saolas so rare?

Saolas are not specifically targeted, but they are frequent victims of indiscriminate snaring, which is widespread in their range. The pressure from hunting is compounded by habitat fragmentation, road construction, and increased human encroachment, leaving them with few undisturbed refuges.

What is being done to protect Saolas?

Efforts include the Saola Working Group’s use of camera traps, dung analysis and local knowledge to pinpoint remaining populations. Conservationists are advocating for snare-removal programmes and more effective protected area management, but without a captive breeding programme or large-scale investment, Saolas remain perilously close to extinction (Wilkinson & Duc, 2016).

What type of forest do Saolas live in?

They are found in wet evergreen forests with minimal dry season, primarily on the Vietnamese slopes of the Annamite Mountains. These habitats are cooler, cloud-covered and have high year-round rainfall, creating a niche Saolas are uniquely adapted to. Unfortunately, such habitats are increasingly fragmented and degraded.

Take Action!

Saolas are being driven to extinction by snares and the relentless pursuit of wild meat and medicine. Every product you buy that contributes to forest loss—like those made with palm oil—accelerates their disappearance. Support local communities leading conservation efforts in Vietnam and Laos. Reject all exotic animal products. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

Protect Saolas by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

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Further Information

Wilkinson, N. M., & Van Duc, L. (2016). Rank aggregation of local expert knowledge for conservation planning of the critically endangered saola. Conservation Biology, 30(6), 1098–1107. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12853

IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group. (2020). Pseudoryx nghetinhensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T18597A22195870. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18597/22195870

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Saola. Retrieved 6 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saola

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Pledge your support

Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNG

Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Keep reading

Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

Keep reading

Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii

Keep reading

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

Keep reading

Ecuadorean Viscacha Lagidium ahuacaense

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Southern Pudu Pudu puda

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Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

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#animals #antelope #boycott4wildlife #boycottmeat #boycottpalmoil #bushmeat #climateChange #cow #criticallyEndangeredSpecies #deer #deforestation #extinction #forgottenAnimals #herbivore #hunting #illegalPetTrade #infrastructure #laos #mammal #palmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoilfree #poaching #saola #saolaPseudoryxNghetinhensis #saolas #ungulate #ungulates #unicorn #unicorns #vegan #vietnam

Palm Oil Detectives Nov 22

Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

Location: #Brazil, #Peru, #Colombia, #Ecuador

Found throughout the #Amazon and Solimões River systems, including major tributaries and large lakes. Their range spans lowland rainforest areas of Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and southern Peru.

The #Tucuxi, a small freshwater #dolphin of #Peru, #Ecuador, #Colombia and #Brazil now faces a dire future. Once common throughout the Amazon River system, they are now listed as #Endangered due to accelerating population declines. Threats include drowning in fishing nets, deforestation, mercury poisoning from gold mining, #palmoil run-off, oil drilling, and dam construction. A shocking 97% decline was recorded over 23 years in a single Amazon reserve. Without urgent action, this elegant and playful river dolphin could vanish from South America’s waterways. Use your wallet as a weapon against extinction. Choose palm oil-free, and #BoycottGold #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/YYvh0S3ucUI

Playful and intelligent #Tucuxi are small #dolphins 🐬 of #Amazonian rivers in #Peru 🇵🇪 #Brazil 🇧🇷 #Ecuador 🇪🇨 and #Colombia 🇨🇴. #PalmOil and #GoldMining are major threats 😿 Fight for them! #BoycottGold #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/23/tucuxi-sotalia-fluviatilis/

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Clever and joyful #Tucuxi are #dolphins 🐬💙 endangered by #hunting #gold #mining and contamination of the Amazon river 🇧🇷 for #PalmOil #agriculture ☠️ Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottGold 🥇🚫 #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/23/tucuxi-sotalia-fluviatilis/

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Appearance & Behaviour

Tucuxis are often mistaken for their oceanic dolphin cousins due to their streamlined bodies, short beaks, and smooth, pale-to-dark grey skin. But these freshwater dolphins are wholly unique—adapted to life in winding river systems where water levels rise and fall dramatically with the seasons.

What sets them apart is their remarkable intelligence and tightly knit social groups. Tucuxis are playful and curious by nature. They leap from the water in graceful arcs, sometimes spinning mid-air.

The Tucuxi, sometimes called the ‘grey dolphin’ due to their uniform colouring, resembles a smaller oceanic dolphin, with a streamlined body and slender beak. Their colour varies from pale grey on the belly to darker grey or bluish-grey along the back.

They travel in small groups of two to six, displaying coordinated swimming patterns. In rare cases, they may form groups up to 26 individuals, particularly at river confluences. Known for their agility, they leap and spin in the water with a grace that belies their size. Tucuxis are particularly drawn to dynamic habitats like river junctions, where waters mix and fish gather.

Threats

Widespread deforestation from palm oil plantations Palm oil plantations are rapidly expanding across the Amazon, clearing vast tracts of forest that stabilise riverbanks and filter water. This deforestation leads to increased sedimentation in rivers, altering flow patterns and reducing water clarity—conditions that directly disrupt the Tucuxi’s feeding and movement. Run-off from fertilisers and pesticides used in palm oil monocultures also poisons aquatic ecosystems, harming Tucuxis other Amazonian dolphin species and the fish they rely on.
Toxic mercury pollution from gold mining Artisanal and illegal gold mining in the Amazon releases massive quantities of mercury into the water, contaminating fish and other aquatic organisms. Tucuxis, as top predators, ingest this mercury through their prey, which accumulates in their tissues and causes neurological damage, weakened immunity, and reproductive failure. Mercury exposure is one of the most insidious threats, as it persists in ecosystems long after mining has ceased.
Incidental drowning in fishing nets Tucuxis are frequently caught and killed in gillnets and other fishing gear as bycatch. Tucuxis and other Amazonian dolphins often inhabit the same confluence zones and productive fishing grounds targeted by local communities, making entanglement almost inevitable. Many carcasses are never recovered, having either been discarded by fishers or lost to river currents, meaning actual mortality rates are likely far higher than reported.
Deliberate hunting for use as fish bait Though illegal, Tucuxis continue to be targeted and killed in parts of Brazil, especially near the Mamirauá and Amana Reserves, where they are used as bait in the piracatinga (catfish) fishery. This brutal practice involves harpooning or netting dolphins and using their flesh to lure fish, often alongside the killing of Botos. Despite a national ban, weak enforcement and ongoing demand mean this threat persists in remote and lawless regions.
Illegal fishing with explosives and toxins In certain areas, particularly in Brazil and Peru, fishers use home-made explosives and poisoned bait to stun or kill fish en masse. These destructive methods harm or kill Tucuxis who are attracted by the sudden appearance of dead or stunned prey. The concussive force of explosions and the ingestion of poisoned prey result in slow, agonising deaths for affected dolphins.
Construction of hydroelectric dams Dams fragment Tucuxi populations by blocking their movement along river corridors, reducing access to feeding and breeding grounds. These projects alter seasonal water flow, raise water temperatures, and flood critical habitats—conditions that significantly disrupt dolphin ecology. Brazil alone has 74 operational dams in the Amazon basin, with over 400 more planned, posing a long-term existential threat to freshwater cetaceans.
Run-off and contamination from palm oil, soy and meat agriculture In addition to habitat loss, palm oil and soy plantations along with cattle ranching generates enormous volumes of chemical-laden waste, which enters waterways and poisons aquatic life. This pollution affects Tucuxis both directly and indirectly—exposing them to harmful substances and killing off sensitive fish species. As plantations replace biodiverse forests, the ecosystem becomes less resilient, accelerating the decline of species like the Tucuxi.
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and industrial pollutants Tucuxis, like many river dolphins, suffer from exposure to persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs, DDT, and flame retardants, as well as heavy metals like lead and cadmium. These toxins accumulate in dolphin tissues over time, weakening their immune systems, interfering with reproduction, and making them more vulnerable to disease. Contaminants originate from industrial waste, agriculture, and mining, and are now widespread across the Amazon basin.
Habitat fragmentation from infrastructure and oil development Roads, oil pipelines, and shipping corridors criss-cross many parts of the Tucuxi’s range, slicing through their habitat and increasing the risk of collisions with boats. These developments also bring noise pollution, which can interfere with echolocation and communication. Fragmentation leads to isolated subpopulations, reducing genetic diversity and making recovery more difficult.

Geographic Range

The Tucuxi inhabits the Amazon River basin, spanning: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador These river dolphins occur as far west as southern Peru and eastern Ecuador, and as far north as southeastern Colombia. They are notably absent from Bolivia’s Beni/Mamoré system, the Orinoco basin, and upper reaches above major waterfalls or rapids.

Their range includes wide, deep rivers and lakes, avoiding turbulent rapids and shallow areas. Despite overlapping with the Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), Tucuxis do not enter flooded forest habitats and stay closer to main river channels.

Diet

Tucuxis feed on more than 28 species of small, schooling freshwater fish, including members of the characid, sciaenid, and siluriform families. During the dry season, fish are concentrated in shrinking waterways, making them easier to catch. In contrast, flooding season disperses prey into forested areas, beyond the Tucuxi’s reach. They prefer to feed at river junctions and along confluences, where nutrient-rich waters concentrate fish populations.

Mating and Reproduction

Little is known about their mating behaviours. However, individuals appear to remain within familiar ranges for many years, and females likely give birth to a single calf after a long gestation. Calves are dependent for an extended period, learning complex navigation and foraging skills in rapidly changing river systems. The estimated generation length is 15.6 years.

FAQs

How many Tucuxis are left in the wild?

There is no comprehensive global population estimate. However, surveys from 1994–2017 in Brazil’s Mamirauá Reserve show a 7.4% annual decline—amounting to a 97% drop over three generations (da Silva et al., 2020). If this trend reflects the wider Amazon basin, the species could be on the brink of collapse.

How long do Tucuxis live?

Exact lifespans are unknown, but based on reproductive data and life history modelling, their generation length is around 15.6 years (Taylor et al., 2007), suggesting natural lifespans of 30–40 years.

How are palm oil and gold mining affecting Tucuxis?

Out-of-control palm oil expansion results in massive deforestation and run-off, clogging rivers with sediment and toxic agrochemicals. Gold mining adds mercury into aquatic ecosystems, where it bioaccumulates in fish—Tucuxis’ main food source. These pollutants cause reproductive harm, neurological damage, and immune system failure in dolphins.

Do Tucuxis make good pets and should they be kept in zoos?

Absolutely not. Tucuxis are intelligent, wild animals. Keeping them in captivity is deeply cruel and has no conservation benefit. Wild capture destroys families and can devastate local populations. If you care about these dolphins, say no to the exotic pet trade and the cruel zoo trade.

What habitats do they prefer?

Research in Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria Reserve shows that Tucuxis prefer river confluences and wide channels, particularly during the dry season when fish density is higher (Belanger et al., 2022). Feeding activity is especially concentrated in areas where whitewater rivers meet blackwater tributaries, creating nutrient-rich hotspots.

Take Action!

The Tucuxi is vanishing before our eyes. To protect them:

• Boycott palm oil and gold products linked to Amazon destruction.

• Choose fish-free and vegan products to reduce pressure on river ecosystems.

• Support indigenous-led conservation across the Amazon.

• Campaign for a ban on destructive dams, and the end of illegal fishing.

#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

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Further Information

Belanger, A., Wright, A., Gomez, C., Shutt, J.D., Chota, K., & Bodmer, R. (2022). River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis) in the Peruvian Amazon: habitat preferences and feeding behaviour. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.5597/lajam00268

da Silva, V., Martin, A., Fettuccia, D., Bivaqua, L. & Trujillo, F. 2020. Sotalia fluviatilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T190871A50386457. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T190871A50386457.en. Accessed on 06 April 2025.

Monteiro-Neto, C., Itavo, R. V., & Moraes, L. E. S. (2003). Concentrations of heavy metals in Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea: Delphinidae) off the coast of Ceará, northeast Brazil. Environmental Pollution, 123(2), 319–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(02)00371-8

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Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

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Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii

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Palm Oil Detectives Nov 8

Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii

Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii

Location: Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Australia

Region: Trans-Fly ecosystem of southern Papua New Guinea and West Papua along with northern parts of Australia.

The frill-necked lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii, also known as the frilled dragons or frill-neck lizards, are famous for their impressive neck frill that fans out dramatically when they feel threatened. The Trans-Fly savannahs of southern Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua, have come increasingly under threat over the past decade by climate change-related extreme weather and deforestation. Anthropogenic threats include habitat destruction for timber and palm oil, climate change-related fires, expanding agricultural zones, road and infrastructure building and capture for the exotic pet trade. In Australia, these lizards eat poisonous cane toads that are deadly once ingested. This along with large-scale bushfires pose threats to Frill-necked #Lizards. Once abundant, these striking reptiles are now losing their ecosystems. Use your wallet as a weapon for them by defending New Guinea’s forests. Choose palm oil-free products and boycott the pet trade. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

The Frilled-Neck #Lizard 🦎💚 is an icon of #Australia 🇦🇺. Their #PapuaNewGuinea 🇵🇬 and #WestPapua populations are under threat from #deforestation 🌴🩸⛔️ along with #ClimateChange. Protect their home and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/

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With their dramatic frilled necks 🦎😻✨ and ability to run on two legs, Frilled-Neck #Lizards are arguably the most spectacular lizards in all of #Melanesia 🇵🇬 Help protect their #NewGuinea population #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a44j267-nxE

Appearance & Behaviour

With their iconic neck frill, long limbs and ability to sprint upright on two legs, frill-necked lizards are one of the most distinctive reptiles in the world. New Guinean individuals typically feature vivid yellow frills that flare outward like a sunburst when they feel threatened—often accompanied by a hiss and an open mouth to appear larger than life. Their frill can reach up to 30 cm across, supported by hyoid bones and cartilage that fan the skin out in a flash. Colouration is variable, and in New Guinea, these lizards lean towards paler hues with distinctive white markings accenting their yellow frills.

Primarily arboreal, they spend over 90% of their time in the trees. They are solitary, territorial, and highly dependent on their frill to communicate and intimidate. During the wet season, they descend closer to the ground in search of food, only to retreat to the higher canopy during the dry months when food is scarce.

Threats

Deforestation for palm oil plantations is rapidly fragmenting their native woodlands in the Trans-Fly region of West Papua and Papua New Guinea.
Illegal capture for the pet trade—many specimens claimed to be ‘captive bred’ are actually wild-caught in Papua New Guinea.
Late dry season fires increase mortality rates and reduce food availability.
Predation by feral cats is an ongoing issue in some parts of their range.
Climate change related extreme weather may impact their reproduction, as temperature influences sex ratios and growth rates.

Geographic Range

This species is found in northern Australia and across southern New Guinea, including both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua. In New Guinea, they inhabit the Trans-Fly savannah region—a unique landscape of seasonal woodlands and dry forests. These lizards avoid low-lying Melaleuca-dominated swamps and prefer elevated areas with well-drained soils and diverse tree species. However, their range in New Guinea is far more restricted than in Australia, making local threats far more significant to their survival.

Diet

Frill-necked lizards are insectivorous ambush predators. They rely on their sharp eyesight and camouflage to spot prey from high in the trees. Their diet consists mainly of insects like termites, cicadas, beetles, ants, and centipedes. During the dry season, termites are especially important, while the wet season sees them shifting to moth larvae. Occasionally, they will consume spiders, small rodents, and other lizards.

Mating and Reproduction

Mating occurs during the late dry and early wet seasons. Males engage in dramatic frill displays and combat to win over females. Females dig a shallow burrow where they lay 1–2 clutches of 4–20 eggs. Temperature plays a critical role in determining the sex of hatchlings—warmer nests produce more males, while cooler ones yield more females. Young frillies are independent within 10 days of hatching and can deploy their frills almost immediately.

FAQs

How many Frill-necked lizards are left in New Guinea?

There is no precise population estimate for New Guinea, but while the species is locally common in parts of Australia, their populations in the Trans-Fly region are under pressure. Their limited range, coupled with the impacts of deforestation and trade, may mean local declines are already occurring.

How long do Frill-necked lizards live in the wild?

Frill-necked lizards in the wild can live up to 6 years for males and around 4 years for females. Hatchlings grow rapidly during the wet season and reach sexual maturity by about two years of age.

Do Frill-necked lizards make good pets?

Absolutely not. These sensitive reptiles are wild animals with complex needs. They are difficult to breed in captivity, meaning many sold in pet markets are likely wild-caught, contributing directly to population declines. Keeping them as pets fuels this harmful trade and leads to suffering. If you care about frill-necked lizards, do not support the exotic pet industry.

Take Action!

Support local and indigenous-led resistance to palm oil deforestation in West Papua and Papua New Guinea. Boycott palm oil products entirely—there is no such thing as “sustainable” palm oil, all of it causes deforestation. Say no to the exotic pet trade, which is stripping these unique lizards from the wild and pushing them towards decline. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

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Further Information

O’Shea, M., Allison, A., Tallowin, O., Wilson, S. & Melville, J. 2017. Chlamydosaurus kingii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T170384A21644690. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T170384A21644690.en. Accessed on 06 April 2025.

Harlow, P. S., & Shine, R. (1999). Temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles: insights from frillneck lizards. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 68(3), 197–211. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3893081

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Frilled lizard. Wikipedia. Retrieved 7 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilled_lizard

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Palm Oil Detectives Feb 5, 2021

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

Location: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei

Found in lowland riverine and peat swamp forests of #Borneo, #Sumatra, Peninsular #Malaysia, and southern #Thailand. Core strongholds include the floodplains of Sabah and peat swamps of #Kalimantan.

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi is the rarest and most elusive #stork in Asia, and one of the world’s most threatened. Currently listed as #Endangered by the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild, their continued survival hangs by a thread in #Malaysia #Indonesia #Thailand and #Brunei. These elegant, black-and-white #birds once ranged widely across the Sundaic region. Today, their numbers are spiralling due to large-scale #deforestation for #palmoil plantations, logging, and infrastructure projects like dams and roads that slice through their forest home.

Peat swamp #forests—critical for nesting and foraging—are rapidly disappearing. But you can help turn the tide. Use your wallet as a weapon to protect these remarkable birds. Choose products that are 100% #palmoilfree and support indigenous-led conservation. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

Storm’s #Storks have bright red and yellow faces and live in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 and #Indonesia 🇮🇩. They’re #endangered due to #PalmOil #deforestation 🌴🔥 and hunting 🏹 Fight for them when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🧐⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/storms-stork-ciconia-stormi/

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Raising two chicks per year, monogamous Storm’s #Storks of #Thailand 🇹🇭 #Malaysia 🇲🇾 and #Indonesia 🇮🇩are #endangered due to #deforestation for #rubber and #palmoil. Resist for them when you shop #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/storms-stork-ciconia-stormi/

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https://youtu.be/YC-5PstWy3A?si=MdZcfzu9in0ZWeL_

Appearance and Behaviour

With their sleek black plumage, brilliant white undertail, and arresting red facial skin encircled by a yellow eye ring, Storm’s Storks are unmistakeable once seen—if seen at all. Adults stand at 75–91 cm tall, their red legs often stained white from perching high in the canopy. They are silent outside the breeding season but may utter soft whistling or a frog-like call at the nest.

Unlike many storks, they are shy and solitary, rarely seen in groups. They glide high above the forest on thermals, and are often seen alone or in pairs near quiet, muddy riverbanks. Nesting high in tall trees, often overhanging rivers, they raise just two chicks a year with intense parental care and secrecy.

Diet

Storm’s Stork feeds primarily on small fish, frogs, worms, aquatic insect larvae and sometimes crustaceans and grasshoppers. They stalk quietly along shaded forest streams and oxbow lakes, moving slowly and deliberately. Parents regurgitate these prey items into the nest for their young, with foraging usually taking place 2–3 km away from their nesting site.

Reproduction and Mating

Monogamous pairs construct large twig nests high in the canopy, often reusing the same nest over several years. Nesting takes place in primary forest close to rivers, with clutches of two eggs and chicks fledging after approximately 90 days. Breeding displays include aerial flips and ground-based mutual bowing. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks, although the female tends to remain longer at the nest.

Geographic Range

Storm’s Stork occurs at extremely low densities across Borneo (Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia), Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, and southern Thailand. Borneo is its core range, especially in Kalimantan and Sabah, where it persists in lowland peat swamps and riverine forests. Once present across the Greater Sundas, it is now extinct or nearly so in Thailand and Myanmar. In Sumatra, populations remain on the Kampar Peninsula, Way Kambas, and Siberut. In Peninsular Malaysia, only small relict populations exist, mostly within Taman Negara.

Threats

Ciconia stormi is native to the swamp and plains-level forests of the Greater Sundas, where it occurs at a very low density and nowhere is numerous. Over the past three generations (31 years: 1992–2023), it is suspected of having declined rapidly (40–60%) in response to industrial removal of its habitat for agro-industry plantations, particularly oil-palm and rubber. Its global population size is uncertain, but probably numbers 300–1,750 mature individuals; with ongoing habitat loss compounded by forest fires which may increase with frequency in response to climate change, this species is considered to be a high risk of extinction in the near-term. Accordingly, it is listed as Endangered.

IUCN Red list

• Widespread deforestation for palm oil and rubber plantations has destroyed much of the lowland forest habitat that Storm’s Stork depends on.

• Peat swamp forests, their stronghold in Borneo, are being drained, logged and set alight, especially during El Niño years.

• Logging roads fragment the forest and degrade rivers through erosion and sedimentation, reducing aquatic prey.

• Forest fires intensify due to human activities, especially in drained peatlands, further eliminating habitat and nesting sites.

• Hydropower projects, like the Chiew Larn Dam in Thailand, have flooded large tracts of prime habitat.

• Hunting still occurs, though not the primary driver of decline. These sensitive birds abandon nests if disturbed.

• Captive trade was a minor historic threat; however, tamed birds in zoos are unlikely to be rewilded successfully.

• Climate change and habitat fragmentation create uncertain future conditions, especially for isolated populations on Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

Take Action!

Storm’s Stork is a symbol of everything we stand to lose through the reckless destruction of rainforests. You have power to stop this.

Use your wallet as a weapon and boycott palm oil. Refuse to buy from companies that drive deforestation. Support indigenous-led agroecology. Speak out against the destruction of Southeast Asia’s peat swamp forests. Take action every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife, be #Vegan!

FAQs

How many Storm’s Storks are left in the wild?

Estimates suggest only 260–500 individuals remain globally. Around 240–1,600 mature individual birds may persist in Borneo, especially in Kalimantan. Sumatra’s population may be as low as 50–100 mature birds, while Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand hold fewer than 10 pairs each (BirdLife International, 2021; Martin et al., 2024).

How long do Storm’s Storks live?

Although exact data is scarce, storks in the genus Ciconia are long-lived, with some individuals living more than 20 years in the wild. Their slow reproductive rate and long lifespan make population recovery difficult after sharp declines (Danielsen et al., 1997; BirdLife International, 2021).

Why is palm oil so destructive for Storm’s Stork?

Palm oil expansion targets the very peat swamp and lowland forests Storm’s Stork calls home. These habitats are easy to access and commercially valuable, making them first to be logged, drained, and cleared. The result is mass habitat loss, water pollution, fire risk, and collapsing food chains that leave the storks with nowhere to nest or feed (Miettinen et al., 2011; Harrison et al., 2016).

Are Storm’s Storks affected by hunting or the pet trade?

They are hunted opportunistically by forest dwellers and poachers, especially as access increases through roads. However, hunting is not the main cause of their decline. The pet trade spiked in the late 1980s, but today, habitat loss remains the overwhelming threat (BirdLife International, 2021; Martin et al., 2024).

Support the conservation of this species

Reko Forest

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2023. Ciconia stormi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023: e.T22697685A224541343. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T22697685A224541343.en. Accessed on 23 March 2025.

BirdLife International. (2021). Ciconia stormi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22697655A194974787. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22697655A194974787.en

Martin, B., Staniewicz, A., Darmansyah, S., & Karo, I. (2024). Records of the Endangered Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi in East Kutai, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, and notes on its conservation in Borneo. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381294067

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Storm’s stork. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm%27s_stork

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi

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Palm Oil Detectives Oct 25

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho

Found across wetlands, grasslands, and cultivated lands of eastern and southern Africa, this elegant bird is particularly emblematic in Uganda, where they feature on the national flag and coat of arms.

The Endangered Grey Crowned #Crane is one of #Africa’s most graceful, regal and recognisable #birds, adorned with a halo of golden feathers and traversing the skies and forests of #Uganda, #Tanzania, #DRC #Congo, #Namibia and more. Behind their dazzling beauty is a grim reality. Since 1985, their global population has crashed by over 59%, driven by relentless wetland destruction, tobacco, timber and cocoa agriculture, palm oil expansion, illegal egg collection, and wildlife trafficking. Once numbering over 100,000, now fewer than 25,000 mature individual birds remain alive. Urgent action is needed to save these majestic and irreplaceable birds before their calls fall silent across Africa’s skies. Help them every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/P1IbL2cs-D4

The crowning jewel of #Uganda 🇺🇬 is their national #bird, the Grey-Crowned Crane, a majestic #songbird 🎶🐦👑 of the #peatlands 🌊 Sadly, this title hasn’t protected them from #PalmOil and hunting. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-b7K

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Once numbering over 100K, the most regal #bird 👑🐦 in #Tanzania #Congo #SouthAfrica and #Namibia hangs on for survival against Big #PalmOil 🌴 Big #Tobacco 🚬 and #Hydroelectric dams 🚜 Help them survive! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-b7K

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Appearance & Behaviour

Standing a metre tall, the Grey Crowned Crane captivates with their stately grey plumage, snowy cheeks, bright red wattle and a dazzling aurora of stiff golden feathers. Their courtship rituals are equally enchanting, with pairs leaping, bowing, and calling in dazzling synchronised dances that can attract the attention of entire flocks. Their red gular sac inflates with a deep booming call, echoing through the savannah.

Unlike other crane species, Grey Crowned Cranes possess a long hind toe allowing them to roost in trees – a trait thought to be ancient among cranes. They often gather in large flocks outside of the breeding season and are known to adapt their behaviour to live increasingly close to human communities.

Threats

• Wetland destruction and degradation

Wetlands are vital breeding and foraging grounds for Grey Crowned Cranes. These habitats are being drained or converted for agriculture, tree plantations (particularly Eucalyptus), and dam construction. Overgrazing by livestock and increased sedimentation from deforestation also contribute to their degradation, leaving cranes with fewer safe places to breed and raise their chicks.

• Industrial palm oil and agricultural expansion

Agricultural land-use change, including the expansion of palm oil and food crop cultivation, is rapidly encroaching on Grey Crowned Crane habitat. In places like Kenya and Uganda, this leads to the fragmentation of once-continuous wetland and savannah ecosystems. The conversion of native grasslands into farmland eliminates critical feeding and nesting areas, directly impacting crane survival.

• Illegal capture for trade and egg collection

Chicks and eggs are frequently stolen from nests to be sold into the illegal pet trade or to captive facilities. This is especially common in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, where birds are trafficked domestically and exported to informal zoos or exotic collectors, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. The removal of young birds from the wild not only reduces the population but causes immense suffering and family disruption among cranes.

• Poisoning and persecution by farmers

In some areas, cranes are seen as agricultural pests due to their foraging on newly planted crops such as maize. As a result, they are deliberately poisoned or killed in retaliation. Poisoning incidents are widespread and often indiscriminate, also affecting other wildlife and entire crane flocks, with devastating consequences for local populations.

• Electrocution and collisions with power lines

As human infrastructure expands, cranes are increasingly flying into overhead power lines or being electrocuted while roosting on utility poles. This is particularly prevalent in Uganda, South Africa, and Tanzania. These deaths are preventable, but without mitigation measures like line markers or insulation, the threat will likely increase as rural electrification spreads.

• Climate change and extreme weather events

Rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change across southern Africa are expected to reshape crane habitat. Droughts reduce water levels in breeding wetlands, while extreme weather events like hail or flooding can destroy nests and kill chicks. Long-term climate shifts may also affect the availability of the crops and invertebrates cranes rely on for food.

• Disturbance from human activity and land use conflicts

As human populations grow, cranes are forced to live closer to agricultural areas and settlements. This increases the likelihood of disturbance during the breeding season, leading to nest abandonment and lower chick survival. Intense land-use pressures mean that even protected areas are often not safe havens, with noise, hunting, and encroachment disrupting the cranes’ life cycle.

• Coal mining, peat extraction, hydroelectric dams

In South Africa and Rwanda, coal mining and proposed peat extraction projects threaten to destroy large areas of wetland and grassland habitat. These industries alter hydrological regimes, pollute waterways, and destroy nesting grounds. The cumulative impact of such extractive industries could irreversibly damage the remaining strongholds of the species.

• Avian influenza and disease outbreaks

A highly virulent strain of avian influenza (H5N1) has already killed dozens of Grey Crowned Cranes in South Africa. With increased human-wildlife contact and climatic stress, the risk of future outbreaks is likely to grow. Disease outbreaks can wipe out entire flocks and undermine conservation gains in areas where populations have recently stabilised.

Geographic Range

The Grey Crowned Crane is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Though widespread, the species is highly localised in wetland-dependent habitats, and their historical range is shrinking rapidly due to land-use changes and human encroachment.

Diet

Omnivorous and opportunistic, Grey Crowned Cranes forage in wetlands, fields, and grasslands. Their diet includes seeds, grass tips, grain, insects, frogs, lizards, crabs, and even snakes. They cleverly stamp their feet to flush out hidden insects and often forage alongside grazing animals, seizing disturbed prey with swift precision.

Mating and Reproduction

Breeding is timed with rainfall – during dry seasons in East Africa and wet seasons in southern regions. Pairs construct large, floating nests in tall wetland vegetation. Clutches contain 2–5 eggs, incubated by both sexes for about 30 days. Chicks are precocial, running soon after hatching and fledging between 56–100 days. In rare communal events resembling ‘weddings’, flocks may witness two young cranes pairing off to begin a new life together.

FAQs

How many Grey Crowned Cranes are left in the wild?

As of 2024, the global population is estimated between 30,200 and 36,900 individuals, equivalent to about 20,100–24,600 mature birds. This marks a catastrophic decline from over 100,000 in 1985 (Morrison, 2015; Wamiti et al., 2023). While some countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and Zambia are seeing modest population increases due to reintroductions, overall trends remain concerning.

How long do Grey Crowned Cranes live?

In the wild, Grey Crowned Cranes can live up to 22–25 years, while in captivity, they may reach 30 years or more with proper care (Archibald et al., 2020).

Why are Grey Crowned Cranes endangered?

The main drivers are habitat loss due to agriculture, deforestation, and infrastructure development, alongside illegal wildlife trade, poisoning, and disturbance from human activity. Out-of-control palm oil plantations and eucalyptus monocultures have also devastated wetland habitats across their range (Morrison & Dodman, 2019).

Do Grey Crowned Cranes make good pets?

Absolutely not. Keeping Grey Crowned Cranes as pets is cruel and contributes to their extinction. Many chicks and eggs are taken illegally from the wild, leading to population collapse and breaking up family groups. If you care about these birds, never support the exotic pet trade.

Take Action!

Boycott palm oil and products contributing to deforestation. Advocate for the protection and restoration of African wetlands. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology efforts that protect native grasslands and wildlife. Report illegal wildlife trade and pressure governments to enforce protective laws. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

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Further Information

Amulike, B. B., Griffin, C. R., & Fuller, T. K. (2023). Conservation-related knowledge, interactions, and attitudes of local people toward Grey Crowned-Cranes in Tanzania. Ecology and Society, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02467-180203

BirdLife International. 2024. Balearica regulorum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T22692046A240198049. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T22692046A240198049.en. Accessed on 02 April 2025.

Wamiti, W., & Kimani, D. K. (2020). Kenya’s first countrywide census of Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum, February–March 2019. Bulletin of the African Bird Club, 27(2), 210–218. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344680836_Kenya’s_first_countrywide_census_of_Grey_Crowned_Crane_Balearica_regulorum_February-March_2019

Wamiti, S. W. (2022). Factors Affecting Population, Nesting Habits, and Conservation of Grey Crowned Crane in Lake Ol’ Bolossat Basin, Kenya. University of Nairobi. Retrieved from https://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163228

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Palm Oil Detectives Oct 18

Fruit Bats: Super Seed Dispersers Growing African Forests

Fruit bats (also known as flying foxes) play a vital role in Africa’s forest ecosystems. These remarkable creatures act as super seed dispersers, scattering seeds over vast distances, helping to reforest deforested areas and boosting biodiversity. A single colony can disperse hundreds of thousands of seeds in one night, kickstarting the regrowth of forests. They support the regeneration of vital plants and trees, which benefit local communities by increasing soil fertility and providing fruits and timber. However, their populations are in decline due to deforestation and hunting. Help to protect these winged forest architects every time you shop – #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife to help save their habitats.

#Bats 🦇 are super seed dispersers in #forests all over the world. Discover how the straw-coloured fruit #bat is saving #Africa’s forests. Yet they’re endangered by #deforestation. Help them and go #vegan #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-90u

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Written by Dina Dechmann, Researcher, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and Mariëlle van Toor, Researcher, Linnaeus University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Fruit bats are not only adorable they provide essential services to forest ecosystems and super seed dispersers

Fruit bats: the winged ‘conservationists’ reforesting parts of Africa

Straw-coloured fruit bats exist throughout most of the African continent. This large fruit bat is one of, if not the most numerous fruit-eating animal (called frugivores) in Africa. They live in colonies of thousands to millions of individuals.

Fruit bats sleep during the day, hanging upside down in the crowns of old trees, and become active at sunset when they set off in search of food – specifically nectar and fruit.

With their wingspan of up to 80cm, they are able to cover vast distances. When the colonies are very large and competition for food is stiff, they can fly up to 95km to suitable food trees and only return to their roosts the following morning. They defecate the seeds of the fruit they eat over an unusually long time period, even during flight. They can thus disperse seeds across huge areas as they go.

The seeds transported in this way can end up far from the parent plant, and in areas that are good for germination and establishment. The fact that these gigantic colonies seasonally migrate across Africa, following the rain and upcoming fruit, help disperse seeds of seasonal fruit and in places with only a few local frugivores.

The fruit bats therefore contribute to the species and genetic diversity of forests.

In 2019 we investigated the potential of these fruit bat colonies to reforest areas where trees had been lost in parts of Africa.

We tracked the movements of fruit bats in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Zambia by deploying them with small GPS loggers, which allowed us to follow their nightly movements to food trees. We also looked into how long they held food in their gut. We then applied our findings to entire colonies to see what services they provided in large numbers.

We found that, in a conservative estimate, a colony of 150,000 animals could disseminate more than 300,000 small seeds in a single night, and that a single colony of fruit bats could kickstart the regrowth of 800 hectares of forest.

Routes of bats and animal seed couriers. Author supplied © MPG

They’ve likely often done so – a study using seed traps deforested areas in Cote d’Ivoire found that 96% of dropped seeds were carried in by fruit bats.

Worryingly, fruit bats have started to disappear from forests everywhere. They are primarily at risk from hunting and persecution out of superstition, fear or simple annoyance due to the noise they make when they roost.

This would not only lead to a loss in biodiversity but have huge economic consequences as fruit bats disperse the seeds of, and likely pollinate as well, many economically valuable plants such as timber species and food producing plants.

Spreading seeds

For our study, we used GPS transmitters to track the flight paths of the bats. We also measured the time it took them to excrete the seeds after eating them. For this we took bats into captivity, fed them their natural food dyed with fluorescent dye and then filmed when which food item was excreted. These showed that the animals only excrete some of the seeds after a relatively long time, thereby facilitating their dispersal over vast distances.

We were able to calculate the potential of an entire colony to disseminate seeds over long distances and to transport them to deforested areas.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/eq2iesVsIgE

Among other things, the straw-coloured fruit bat disperses fast-growing trees that are the first to colonise open ground, so-called pioneer trees, and which are able to grow in bright sunlight, creating the right environment for rainforest tree species to establish and grow.

The profit that the regrowth of this much forest generates for the population, for example through edible fruits, increased soil fertility and timber, has been estimated using the results from a study on the cost of deforestation in Ghana under the assumption that all areas supplied with seeds by bats were allowed to reforest. Our estimate was in excess of 700,000 Euro (about US$750,000). Because the straw-coloured fruit bats migrate throughout Africa, many communities profit from their services.

Straw-coloured fruitbats: sadly in decline

Sadly, the population of straw-coloured fruits bats is in continuous decline. For example a colony we monitor in Accra, Ghana, has gone down from one million individuals over a decade ago to less than 20,000 bats in the spring of 2022.

Given that each female gives birth to a single pup each year, this is going to lead to a population collapse. Logging the large trees in which the animals live is also threatening their populations. Often we will return to a place where a thriving colony was previously observed only to find their roost trees and thus the bats, gone.

The straw-coloured fruit bats contribute to the conservation of African forests, so there is an urgent need to explain their importance to the human population. With the recent COVID-outbreak and other diseases such as Ebola, bats have moved into the focus of the press and thus local communities. While it is important to inform people about how to safely co-exist with the bats, there is currently no scientific evidence to support the rumour that straw-coloured fruit bats or any bat may have been involved in these outbreaks. The best way to ensure the health and safety of both bats and people is to simply stay away from them.

During our research, we met a local king in Kibi, a town in southern Ghana, who is leading by example. He’s placed the straw-coloured fruit bat colony that has taken up residence in his garden under his own personal protection and calls them their babies.

An NGO we collaborate with closely – the Rwanda Wildlife Corporation – does exemplary work to help mitigate the negative trend of fruit bat populations. They visit local communities, inform them about the benefits and threats the bats offer, and recruit local volunteers to contribute to counts and observations. Many of these volunteers are children, which are our best ambassadors for a future where humans and bats can live side by side.

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Palm Oil Detectives Feb 5, 2021

Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus

Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Location: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia (Now extinct), India (now extinct)

The masked finfoot is vanishing before our eyes. Once widespread across South and #SoutheastAsia, fewer than 300 individuals remain alive. Their numbers are in freefall due to habitat destruction, rampant palm oil expansion, hydropower projects, and human disturbance (Chowdhury et al., 2020). These rare and secretive #waterbirds, with their striking black masks and vivid green lobed feet, are slipping towards #extinction.

These #birds were once found in the dense, shadowy mangroves and riverine forests from #India to #Indonesia, their final strongholds are in Bangladesh and #Cambodia. Even there, unchecked deforestation and wetland clearance threaten their survival. Conservationists warn that without urgent intervention, this species could become Asia’s next avian extinction.

Protecting the masked finfoot means protecting their vanishing wetland homes. Boycott palm oil, support wetland conservation, and demand stronger protections for Southeast Asia’s last riverine forests. Help them every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

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Already #extinct in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 #India 🇮🇳 #Indonesia 🇮🇩 the Masked Finfoot is a unique #bird 🪿🩷 with unusual feet. #PalmOil #deforestation is a major threat. Help them when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔☠️🤢🔥🧐🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/masked-finfoot-heliopais-personatus

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Appearance and Behaviour

The masked finfoot is a medium-sized aquatic bird with a long, elegant neck, vivid green lobed feet, and a sharp, pointed beak. Their dramatic black facial mask is offset by a white eyering and lateral stripe along the neck. Their back and wings are deep chestnut brown, contrasting with a pale underbelly. Males have an entirely black chin, while females have a distinctive white chin patch.

This species moves through the water with effortless grace, gliding silently through dense mangroves and forested waterways. Unlike grebes and ducks, they are not strictly aquatic—often foraging along riverbanks for fish, crustaceans, and insects. Their lobed feet, highly adapted for both swimming and gripping wetland vegetation, allow them to navigate both water and land with ease.

Geographic Range

The main threat is the destruction and increased levels of disturbance to rivers in lowland riverine forest, driven by agricultural clearance and logging operations and increased traffic on waterways.

IUCN Red list

The masked finfoot once thrived across South and Southeast Asia, from northeast India to Indonesia. Today, their range has collapsed. The most recent global population estimate suggests only 108 to 304 individuals remain (Chowdhury et al., 2020), with confirmed breeding populations only in Bangladesh and Cambodia. Once-regular sightings in Malaysia and Thailand have all but disappeared.

Myanmar may still hold small, unrecorded populations, but large-scale deforestation and wetland destruction mean that their future there is uncertain. The species has already been wiped out from large parts of its former range. Without urgent conservation action, they may soon disappear entirely.

Diet

The masked finfoot is an opportunistic feeder, preying on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species. Their diet consists of freshwater shrimp, large beetles, small fish, dragonfly larvae, molluscs, and amphibians. They forage both in the water and along riverbanks, gleaning insects from overhanging vegetation or catching prey just below the surface. Their lobed feet allow them to navigate both aquatic and terrestrial environments with ease.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the breeding biology of the masked finfoot due to their elusive nature. Their breeding season appears to coincide with the rainy season, from June to September in Bangladesh. They construct nests low above the water, using small sticks and reeds to form a platform. Clutch sizes range from three to seven eggs, and chicks hatch covered in dark grey down with a distinctive white spot on the tip of the beak. The young leave the nest shortly after hatching, though they remain dependent on their parents for food and protection.

Threats

Kalimantan lost nearly 25% of its evergreen forest during 1985-1997. The impact of the major fires of 1997-1998 was patchy, with many small alluvial areas escaping damage(Fredriksson and Nijman 2004). However, such fires appear to be increasing in frequency and severity. In central Kalimantan, most remaining lowland forest is granted to logging concessions, with a negligible area currently afforded any protected status. The species was recorded in trade by TRAFFIC in 1998 when six birds were taken out of Kalimantan to Singapore(Shepherd 2000).

IUCN REd LIST

The masked finfoot faces multiple threats that have driven them to the brink of extinction.

Habitat Destruction and Palm Oil Plantations

• Lowland riverine forests are being cleared for palm oil plantations, rice fields, and other agricultural developments.

• Mangroves and wetland habitats are being drained and converted, destroying key breeding and foraging sites.

Habitat loss is the most significant driver of the masked finfoot’s decline. Without intact, undisturbed wetlands, their populations will continue to plummet.

Hydropower and Waterway Disruptions

• The construction of dams and hydropower projects alters water flow, reduces fish populations, and floods nesting sites.

• Increased boat traffic disturbs the birds and leads to habitat fragmentation.

Dams and river modifications disrupt the delicate ecosystems masked finfoots depend on, cutting them off from food sources and safe nesting sites.

Illegal Hunting and Egg Collection

• Although not a primary target for hunters, masked finfoots are occasionally hunted for food or captured opportunistically.

• Fishermen have reported taking eggs or chicks when they encounter nests.

With such a small population left, even occasional hunting and egg collection could have devastating consequences.

Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels

• Increased saltwater intrusion into wetland habitats threatens nesting trees and freshwater food sources.

• More frequent tropical storms and cyclones destroy nests and disrupt breeding seasons.

The Sundarbans population is particularly vulnerable, as climate change intensifies the frequency of severe weather events.

Pollution and Fishing Practices

• Oil spills, industrial pollution, and pesticide runoff poison water sources.

• The birds are at risk of entanglement in fishing nets, particularly in the Sundarbans.

Pollution and bycatch threaten not only the masked finfoot but many other wetland species that rely on clean rivers and estuaries.

Take Action!

The masked finfoot is on the edge of extinction. Choose 100% palm oil-free products, support wetland restoration, and demand stronger legal protections for their remaining habitats. Every decision you make as a consumer can help safeguard the future of this critically endangered species. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

FAQs

How many masked finfoots are left?

The global population is estimated to be between 108 and 304 individuals, far lower than the 600–1,700 estimate in 2009 (Chowdhury et al., 2020). With such a sharp decline, immediate conservation efforts are needed to prevent their extinction.

Where do masked finfoots live?

Historically, they were found across South and Southeast Asia. Today, breeding populations are confirmed only in Bangladesh and Cambodia. Myanmar may still have small, unrecorded populations, but the species has likely been extirpated from Malaysia and Thailand.

Why is the masked finfoot endangered?

Habitat destruction, palm oil plantations, hydropower development, hunting, and climate change are the biggest threats. Wetland clearance and deforestation have left them with almost nowhere to breed and forage.

How can we save the masked finfoot?

Boycotting palm oil, supporting wetland conservation projects, and advocating for stronger environmental protections are critical steps. Protected areas must be established, and existing habitats must be restored.

What do masked finfoots eat?

Their diet includes freshwater shrimp, insects, fish, and crustaceans. They hunt both in the water and along the riverbanks, using their lobed feet to navigate different environments.

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2016. Heliopais personatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22692181A93340327. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22692181A93340327.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Chowdhury, S. U., Yong, D. L., Round, P. D., Mahood, S., Tizard, R., & Eames, J. C. (2020). The status and distribution of the masked finfoot Heliopais personatus—Asia’s next avian extinction? Forktail, 36, 16–24. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349094908_The_status_and_distribution_of_the_Masked_Finfoot_Heliopais_personatus-Asia’s_next_avian_extinction

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d). Masked finfoot. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_finfoot

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Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus

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Palm Oil Detectives Feb 3, 2021

Imitator Goshawk Accipiter imitator

Imitator Goshawk Accipiter imitator

Red List Status: Vulnerable

Locations: Bougainville (Papua New Guinea), Choiseul and Santa Isabel (Solomon Islands)

Deep within the old-growth forests of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, lives a shrewd and magnificent hunter the Imitator Goshawk Tachyspiza imitator. One of the region’s most elusive and beautiful birds of prey. With only 250-999 mature individuals estimated across three islands, this vulnerable species faces mounting pressure from palm oil and timber deforestation. Their preference for pristine interior forest makes them particularly susceptible to habitat destruction as chainsaws carve through their ancient hunting grounds. Fight for their survival every time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Imitator Goshawks 🦅🦉💗 are shrewd #raptors who are vulnerable in #PapuaNewGuinea 🇵🇬 #SolomonIslands 🇸🇧 due to #palmoil #deforestation and #mining. Help them every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔☠️🧐⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/03/imitator-goshawk-accipiter-imitator/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The Imitator Goshawk’s compact frame reflects perfect adaptation to dense forest hunting in Solomon Islands and New Guinea. Their shorter wings and tail, combined with notably longer legs, distinguish them from relatives and enable swift navigation through tangled branches. These forest phantoms move with fluid precision through the understory. These raptors lack the distinctive calls of their relatives, adding to their mysterious presence in the forest depths.

Their piercing eyes scan the forest floor and middle canopy with predatory focus, every sense attuned to subtle movements that betray prey. Unlike relatives who prefer forest edges, these raptors have evolved to claim the heart of the forest as their domain.

Diet

The secretive nature of Imitator Goshawks means their dietary preferences remain largely unknown. One remarkable observation captured them feeding on a smaller bird Chestnut-bellied Monarch Monarcha castaneiventris, demonstrating their ability to catch agile forest birds. Their longer legs suggest they may hunt from low perches, potentially targeting prey on the forest floor as well as in the canopy.

Reproduction and Mating

The breeding ecology of the Imitator Goshawk remains shrouded in mystery. Their nesting habits, courtship behaviours, and family structure have yet to be documented by researchers. This knowledge gap of birds of prey in Papua represents one of the most significant challenges in developing effective protection strategies for this vulnerable species.

Geographic Range

The Imitator Goshawk inhabits three islands across the Solomon Sea: Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, and Choiseul and Santa Isabel in the Solomon Islands. They occupy lowland forests and forest edges from sea level to at least 400 metres elevation, with possible sightings extending to 1,000 metres. Known from scattered specimens and rare sightings, the total population of 350-1,500 individuals appears to have declined on Choiseul and remains extremely rare throughout their range.

As a lowland and hill species with almost all records from old-growth forest, Imitator Goshawks are likely to be threatened by forest loss and degradation. Industrial logging continues on Choiseul and Santa Isabale (G. Dutson in litt. 2016) and logging may become a problem on Bougainville when the island opens up to development.

IUCN Red List

Threats

Timber and palm oil deforestation

Industrial timber and palm oil operations continue across Choiseul and Santa Isabel, systematically removing the old-growth forests that Imitator Goshawks require. As chainsaws bite into centuries-old trees, the complex forest structure essential for these raptors disappears. The species shows clear preference for pristine forest and is rarely found in degraded areas, making them extremely vulnerable to ongoing timber and palm oil deforestation. Future development plans for Bougainville threaten to extend this destruction to their last stronghold.

Competition from Related Species

The Imitator Goshawk possibly faces competition from the closely related Accipiter albogularis, particularly in degraded forest areas where habitat quality has declined This interspecific competition may force Imitator Goshawks into suboptimal territories.

Limited Scientific Knowledge

The poorly understood ecology of this species creates challenges for effective protection strategies. Without detailed knowledge of their breeding requirements, population dynamics, and specific habitat needs, targeted protection efforts remain difficult to implement.

Take Action!

The Imitator Goshawk’s survival hangs by a thread with around 250-999 mature individuals left alive. Protect these enigmas of the rainforest every time you shop. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife to reduce pressure on the forest ecosystems that these magnificent birds desperately need to survive.

FAQs

What is the current population of Imitator Goshawks?

Recent assessments estimate the global population at 250-999 mature individuals, equivalent to 350-1,500 total individuals across all three islands. This extremely small population makes the species highly vulnerable to extinction.

How long do Imitator Goshawks live?

The lifespan of Imitator Goshawks in the wild has not been documented due to limited research. We can hazard a guess from other medium-sized raptors, they likely live several years, but without detailed studies of marked individuals, their exact longevity remains unknown. Understanding their lifespan is crucial for developing effective protection strategies and assessing long-term viability of fragmented populations.

What makes Imitator Goshawks different from other goshawks?

The Imitator Goshawk’s distinctive shorter wings and tail combined with notably longer legs set them apart from related species and reflects their specialisation for hunting in dense forests. Their unique bodies mean they can manoeuvre through branches and foliage.

Further Information

BirdLife International. (2016). Accipiter imitator. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species e.T.A. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695553A93515433.en

Bildstein, K. L., & Zalles, J. I. (2001). Conservation status of tropical raptors. Journal of Raptor Research, (1), 3-18. https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/jrr/v032n01/p00003-p00018.pdf

Griffiths, C. S., Barrowclough, G. F., Groth, J. G., & Mertz, L. A. (2007). Phylogeny, diversity, and classification of the Accipitridae based on DNA sequences of the RAG-gene. Journal of Raptor Research, (), 253-301.

Kane, S. A., Fulton, A. H., & Rosenthal, L. J. (2015). When hawks attack: animal-borne video studies of goshawk pursuit and prey-evasion strategies. Journal of Experimental Biology, (), 212-222. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4302165/

Lerner, H. R., & Mindell, D. P. (2005). Phylogeny of eagles, Old World vultures, and other Accipitridae based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, (), 577-584.

Webb, M. (1997). Additional notes on the birds of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. Muruk, 7(2), 37-56.

Support the conservation of this species

Imitator Goshawk Accipiter imitator – Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Imitator Goshawk Accipiter imitator – Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Imitator Goshawk Accipiter imitator – Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Imitator Goshawk Accipiter imitator – Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Imitator Goshawk Accipiter imitator – Threats

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2016. Accipiter imitator. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22695553A93515433. https://dx.doi .org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695553A93515433.en. Downloaded on 03 February 2021.

Imitator Goshawk Accipiter imitator

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Palm Oil Detectives Feb 15, 2021

Krokosua Squeaking Frog Arthroleptis krokosua

Krokosua Squeaking Frog Arthroleptis krokosua

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Location: This species is found in the tropical rainforests of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa. Its range is extremely limited, primarily confined to the Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve and one additional site in the Ankasa Conservation Area.

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog is one of the most endangered amphibians in Africa, threatened by rapid habitat destruction driven by logging, agriculture, and out-of-control palm oil plantations. This diminutive frog, named for its high-pitched squeaking call, is a vital part of its ecosystem, helping control insect populations and maintaining forest health. Protecting its habitat is crucial to its survival. Use your voice to save them every time you shop! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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Big-eyed Krokosua Squeaking #Frogs 🐸 make a shrieking sound 🔊 when frightened. They’re critically #endangered in #Ghana #WestAfrica due to #palmoil #deforestation. Help them survive #herpetology #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔☠️⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/15/krokosua-squeaking-frog-arthroleptis-krokosua/

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Deep within the rainforests of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, a rare and enigmatic frog fights for survival. The Krokosua Squeaking Frog, with their tiny bodies and distinctive squeaking call, are both wonders of nature and stark symbols of the fragility of tropical ecosystems. Their survival depends on the integrity of the dense forest floors they inhabit, where they feed on insects and find safety beneath leaf litter. However, these critical habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate.

The relentless expansion of palm oil plantations, illegal logging, and agricultural activities are devastating their already fragmented range. This fragile species needs immediate intervention to prevent their extinction. Every choice you make matters. Support indigenous-led conservation #BoycottPalmOil #BoycottPalmOil to protect their home.

Appearance and Behaviour

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog is a petite amphibian, measuring just 2–4 centimetres in length. Their smooth, brown to reddish-brown skin is dappled with darker markings, offering natural camouflage against the forest floor’s leaf litter. Large, dark eyes dominate their delicate faces, lending an air of quiet watchfulness as they navigate their humid environment.

This frog species is nocturnal and terrestrial, spending its days hidden beneath logs, leaves, or rocks, and emerging at night to forage. The frog’s most remarkable trait is its unique vocalisation—a high-pitched squeak that pierces the rainforest’s evening calm. This call is used to communicate with other frogs, likely as part of territorial defence or courtship.

Threats

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog is listed as Critically Endangered because there are believed to be fewer than 250 mature individuals, with 90% of these occurring within the sub-population found in the Sui Forest Reserve.

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog faces continuing decline in the number of mature individuals caused by habitat loss from logging activities, farming (especially for cocoa), illegal plantations and small-scale mining.

IUCN Red List

Palm oil, tobacco, cocoa and mining deforestation:

The greatest threat to the Krokosua Squeaking Frog is habitat destruction caused by logging, agricultural expansion for cocoa and tobacco, and the proliferation of out-of-control palm oil plantations. These activities strip away the dense forest undergrowth they rely on for cover and breeding, fragmenting their already limited range.

Extreme Temperature Changes from Climate Change:

Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns due to climate change further threaten the delicate balance of their habitat. As a species highly dependent on stable rainforest ecosystems, they are particularly vulnerable to these shifts.

Restricted Range:

With a range limited to the Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve and a small portion of the Ankasa Conservation Area, this frog is at high risk of extinction from stochastic events such as droughts, fires, or disease outbreaks.

Diet

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog feeds on small invertebrates, such as ants, beetles, and other forest floor arthropods. Their diet not only sustains them but also plays a critical role in regulating insect populations within their habitat. This makes them essential contributors to the overall health and balance of their rainforest ecosystem.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the specific reproductive habits of this species, but like other frogs in the Arthroleptis genus, they are likely to lay their eggs in moist leaf litter or soil. The direct development of their offspring—where eggs hatch directly into miniature frogs rather than passing through a tadpole stage—is an adaptation that allows them to thrive in terrestrial habitats.

Geographic Range

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog’s range is among the smallest of any amphibian, restricted to just two known locations: the Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve and the Ankasa Conservation Area. These areas, although legally protected, are under intense pressure from human activities. The total extent of their range is estimated to be less than 100 square kilometres, with much of this fragmented and degraded.

FAQ

What is the squeaking frog?

The squeaking frog refers to members of the genus Arthroleptis, known for their high-pitched vocalisations. The Krokosua Squeaking Frog, specifically, is a critically endangered amphibian found only in the rainforests of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

What is the squeaking frog in South Africa?

The term “squeaking frog” in South Africa typically refers to other species within the Arthroleptis genus, as the Krokosua Squeaking Frog is only found in West Africa. South African species, like their West African counterparts, share similar behaviours and habitats but are distinct in range and conservation status.

Why is the Krokosua Squeaking Frog endangered?

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog is critically endangered due to habitat loss caused by illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and out-of-control palm oil plantations. Additionally, their extremely restricted range makes them highly susceptible to climate change and other stochastic events.

Why are they called squeaking frogs?

They are called squeaking frogs because of their distinctive, high-pitched calls. These squeaks are used to communicate, likely for territorial or mating purposes, and can often be heard echoing through the rainforest at night.

Take Action!

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog urgently needs your help. Use your voice to demand an end to deforestation caused by palm oil plantations and illegal logging. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to protect this critically endangered species. Every purchase you make can help safeguard their fragile rainforest home. Fight for their survival: #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

https://youtu.be/GZrfKQ4loMI

Source: Sustain Round Glass

The Krokosua Squeaking Frog is critically endangered on @IUCNredlist in #Ghana and #IvoryCoast due to illegal logging for #cocoa #palmoil. Make art for this dissapearing creature and #Boycott4Wildlife

Krokosua Squeaking Frog Arthroleptis krokosua

Support the conservation of this species

Save the Frogs Ghana

Further Information

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). (2023). 20 most endangered animals in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.ifaw.org/au/journal/20-most-endangered-animals-wildlife-africa

IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2019. Arthroleptis krokosua. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T174591A137083009. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T174591A137083009.en. Downloaded on 15 February 2021.

STF! Webmaster. (2013, October 23). One of the world’s rarest frogs (Arthroleptis krokosua) finally found. Save the Frogs. Retrieved from https://savethefrogs.com/arthroleptis-krokosua-found/

World Species. (n.d.). Arthroleptis krokosua. Retrieved from https://worldspecies.org/ntaxa/2171926

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#Africa #Amphibian #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #cocoa #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #deforestation #endangered #ForgottenAnimals #Frog #Frogs #Ghana #herpetology #herps #IvoryCoast #IvoryCoast #KrokosuaSqueakingFrogArthroleptisKrokosua #palmoil #WestAfrica