Climate

Rare Indonesian maleo birds face new threat from international exotic pet trade

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 22/10/2026, 09:09:24 UTC.

Briefings

A recent study documents the first confirmed entry of critically endangered Sulawesi maleo birds into illicit international trade, with three seizures of 25 juvenile birds detected in India in 2024. Trafficking syndicates recruited couriers including families and single mothers, offering paid holidays and cash for transit through Jakarta, Mumbai, and Bangkok. The birds are endemic to Sulawesi and face severe habitat destruction, with only 4,000 to 7,000 breeding pairs remaining. While all international trade is legally banned, this evidence indicates the species is entering the domestic Indian pet market via social media influencer posts.

Key points

• Three separate seizures of 25 live juvenile maleo birds were recorded in India in 2024, marking the first documented evidence of the critically endangered Sulawesi maleo entering international commerce.
• Trafficking syndicates recruited couriers including young couples, families with children, and a single mother, offering paid holidays and cash to carry birds through international transit hubs in Jakarta, Mumbai, and Bangkok.

Context

The Sulawesi maleo is endemic to Indonesia's island of Sulawesi and faces severe habitat destruction, with only 4,000 to 7,000 breeding pairs remaining. While all international commercial trade is banned under Indonesian law and CITES, this study marks the first evidence of the species entering illicit international commerce, specifically via the domestic Indian pet market.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to three seizures in India in 2024; no data on prior international trade exists. The study marks the first documented evidence of the species entering illicit commerce, though trafficking syndicates may operate across multiple countries. Specific details on the exact number of birds seized in each country are not fully detailed, and the study relies on enforcement agency reports and social media observations.

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