Page 75 - World of Animals - Issue #41

Birds under siege

Javan green magpies have been surrounded; their forests
are disappearing, and hunters come from all sides armed
with cages to catch these highly-prized birds

The decline in Javan green magpie numbers has Those birds that do remain
been dramatic, and it’s hardly surprising given in their natural homes face a
the assault they are facing in their native home. constant threat from traders, who
Their habitat is rapidly disappearing, and birds enter the forests to catch beautiful
are captured, caged and sold as ornaments. birds for sale in local shops and
The island of Java has experienced serious markets. Their ornamental feathers
deforestation; in the areas from sea level up to and captivating songs are highly
1,000 metres (3,280 feet), most of the forests prized, but once caged they are often
are now gone. The birds live from 500-2,000 neglected. As Andrew Owen, curator
metres up (1,640-6,561 feet), and their remaining of birds at Chester Zoo, explains: “The
habitat is gradually being eroded. There are forests in Indonesia are now so silent but the
many reasons for this logging activity, including markets are full of the sounds of caged birds."
wood gathering, making space for farms, and With so few birds left in the wild, the only hope
clearing the way for mines. is to one day reintroduce them from captivity.

ABOVE The Javan
green magpie is just
one of many bird
species regularly
taken from their
natural habitats

Losing their land

The rapid decline of safe habitats for the Javan green magpie has had a devastating impact

Their remaining habitat

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