Translocation of Ultramarine Lories Vini ultramarina by C. Kuehler, A. Lieberman, A. Varney and J. Azua

ore species of Eastern M Polynesian landbirds have become extinct since the arrival of people than currently survive today. All of the 15 endemic species (and 40 subspecies) inhabiting French Polynesia are considered threatened or endangered. This consetvation crisis facing island birds is not restricted to Polynesia alone. inety-three percent of the 93 species and 83 subspecies of birds which have become extinct since 1600 lived in island communities. Here in the United States, the Hawaiian islands are home to 31 endangered bird taxa, 12 ofwhich number less than 100 individuals. Hawaii is considered to be the endangered species capital of the world. Pacific Island birds are struggling against the devastating effects caused by the intro­ duced predators, plants, disease and habi­ The beautiful but endangered tat disturbance which accompanied In 1990, information describing the Ultramarine Lory the arrival of humans into their fragile, distribution of the Ultramarine Lory small, isolated ecosystems. (Ultramarine Lorikeet, Marquesas Lorikeet, Pihiti) Vini ultramarina in the Marquesas Islands was incomplete. Based on fossil records, before the arrival of people, most or all species of flying birds in the Marquesas were found throughout the island chain. However, since the arrival of colonists, the diversity ofspecies has been decreas­ ing. Observations by biologists in the 1970s and 1980s reported the Ultramarine Lory to be scarce and localized on Nuku Hiva, widespread and fairly com­ mon on Ua Pou, and fairly common on Ua Huka. On Ua Huka, the population descends from two birds originating from Ua Pou and released on Ua Huka in 1941. More recently, the Lory was reported declining and restricted to higher elevations on both Nuku Hiva, where it may have been completely extir­ pated, and Ua Pou where it was very rare. Due to the decline ofthe Ultramarine Lory in its historic range, in 1990, a con­ Release boxes for tbe Ultramarine Lory servation program was initiated by the

44 May/June 1996 Delegation de L'Environnement, French species and is probably not as detrimental were observed feeding. Polynesia and the Zoological Society of to Lories as the more aggressive Black Single populations of threatened San Diego to capture and relocate birds Rat. Additionally, Fatu Hiva does not have and rare island bird species are at great from Ua Huka to establish a satellite pop­ an airport or improved harbor and risk ofextinction. Prelimir1ary results from ulation on Fatu Hiva. Management wharf. Major portions of the 80 sq. our three translocations of Ultramarine efforts involving the transferral of birds km. island still support suitable habitat Lories from Ua Huka indicate that relo­ from one area to another site to establish for lories. cated birds are surviving and reproducing a second population, is not a new con­ Politically and practically Fatu Hiva on Fatu Hiva. Continual monitoring is servation strategy, and has been used was chosen because the local govern­ essential and as part of the Zoological successfully for other island bird species. ment of Fatu Hiva employs a staff Society ·of San Diego's ongoing com­ The island of Fatu Hiva was chosen member who resides permanently on mitment, an intensive survey is planned as the site to establish a satellite pop­ Fatu Hiva and was willing to monitor and for 1996 to evaluate the success of the ulation ofUltramarine Lories because of safeguard the birds. The collaborating program by determining if the trans­ biological, political and practical reasons. biologists felt that if long-term conser­ planted population is reproducing and Biologically, selection of a rat-free vation efforts for the Ultramarine Lory growing. island with essential habitat was con­ were going to succeed after their depar­ The Polynesian Lory translocation sidered the highest priority; introduced ture, education, involvement and part­ project is funded by the Zoological Black Rats which prey on eggs and nership with the local people was Society ofSan Diego and the Delegation chicks are probably the greatest cause essential. Efforts were made to include de L'Environement, French PolyneSia. of decline for the Lory. Decreased habi­ the communities through presentations Collaborating institutions include: The tat due to agriculture and grazing her­ at the local schools, pictures, posters and Peregrine Fund, Inc., Service Economie bivores, tropical StOffi1S, competition with written literature. Rurale, Marquesas Islands, MANU introduced species of honeybees, and Twenty-nine Ultramarine Lories were (French Polynesia Ornithological Society) disease afflicting banana flowers may released from three translocations in 1992 and Omoa Elementary School. have also contributed to the decline. (7 birds), 1993 (7 birds), and 1994 05 Acknowledgement: However, harbor improvement on Nuku birds). On 22 October 1994, prior to the The authors would like to acknowledge Hiva and Ua Pou allowing the intro­ third translocation, a survey of the the worts ofPhil Unittfrom the San Diego duction of rats is probably the major On10a Valley resulted in the observation Natural Hist01Y Museum whose survey problem. Ua Huka and Fatu Hiva do not of 14 birds. Additionally, in 1994 Lories work in the Marquesas islands laid the have populations of Black Rats. The were seen in the Hanaveve and ground-work for the translocation Polynesian rat is the only resident Pupuauwihi Valleys, and five juveniles project. ,.

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