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The 'Ura or Rimatara Lorikeet Vini kuhlii: its former range, present status, and conservation priorities.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2010

Gerald Mccormack  and
Judith Künzlè
Gerald Mccormack
Affiliation:
Cook Islands Natural Heritage Project, Prime Minister's Department, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Judith Künzlè
Affiliation:
Cook Islands Natural Heritage Project, Prime Minister's Department, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
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Fossils and other evidence from the Southern Cook Islands show that the Rimatara Lorikeet Vini kuhlii, known as the Kura, was widespread in the group during prehistoric times and, it was probably extirpated due to exploitation for its red feathers. Today, it survives only on Rimatara in the Austral Islands, where it is known as the ‘Ura. On Rimatara during 5-11 August 1992 we saw/heard 263 ‘Ura, and estimated the total population at 900 birds. The mixed horticultural belt, about 32% of the island, was the most favoured habitat at 2.2 birds ha1 and it supported about 61% of the total population. The species was uncommon in the coastal coconut plantations and central hills, and rare in the makatea/feo. Rats, especially Rattus rattus, have often been associated with the loss of forest birds on oceanic islands and R. rattus is thought to be responsible for the decline in other lorikeets of French Polynesia. A preliminary trapping study located R. norvegicus and R. exulans, but not R. rattus. The highest conservation priority should be given to confirming the absence of R. rattus on Rimatara and the implementation of a major quarantine programme to ensure that it is not accidentally introduced. We recommend reintroducing the lorikeet to islands within its former natural range.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 6 , Issue 4 , December 1996 , pp. 325 - 334
Copyright
Copyright © Birdlife International 1996

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