As of 2009, the IUCN recognises 19 species of #parrot as #extinct since 1500 (the date used to denote modern extinctions). This does not include species like the New Caledonian lorikeet, which has not been officially seen for 100 years, yet is still listed as critically #endangered.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrot
What is wrong with humanity? đą
#conservation #parrots #environment #wildlife #birds #pettrade
The Guardian reports on the trend of exotic pet ownership in Thailand, where wealthy elites are increasingly buying animals like lions for social media likes on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
"Similar trends are emerging with other non-native species, including ring-tailed lemurs and #RedPandas."
#RedPanda #RoterPanda #KleinerPanda #PandaRoux #PandaRosso #PandaRojo #Wah #RedPandas #AilurusFulgens #PandaÄervenĂĄ #PetTrade #Thailand #lion #lemur
Borneo Forest Dragon Gonocephalus bornensis
Borneo Forest Dragon Gonocephalus bornensis
Extant (resident): Brunei Darussalam; Indonesia (Kalimantan); Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah)
The #Borneo Forest Dragon, also known as the Borneo Anglehead #Lizard is a vividly coloured lizard native to Borneo. This arboreal #reptile is known for their prominent crest and beautifully camouflaged body, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their rainforest surroundings. Found primarily in undisturbed and secondary rainforests, the Borneo Forest Dragon thrives in humid environments, often near streams.
Although the latest assessment by IUCN Red List revealed that they are âleast concernâ, the plans to move the capital of Indonesia to Kalimantan is concerning to conservationists and animal lovers alike. Rampant habitat loss from #palmoil and #timber #deforestation on the island of Borneo posses a grave threat. Protect these striking animals and their rainforest home when you #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN-KYLuDvPg
Cheeky, charismatic Borneo Forest #Dragons đŠare the most beautiful #lizards youâve never heard of. Living inside of #Borneoâs #forests, threats include #palmoil #deforestation and more. Help them survive #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-8PU
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterBorneo Forest Dragons đŠ are cold-blooded #reptile royalty in the #rainforests of #Malaysia and #Indonesia. Endless forests are being destroyed for #palmoil and #mining. Fight for #lizards đđwhen u shop #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-8PU
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance & Behaviour
Male Borneo Forest Dragons are bigger than females, with longer tails and a more prominent crest. They lay up to four eggs per clutch, which are deposited in a small burrow in the soil. Their colouration provides excellent camouflage from predators in the rainforest canopy, where they spend most of their time.
Males can grow to up to 13.6 cm long and with longer tails than females, who are slightly smaller. These lizards stand out thanks to the crest on their necks and backs, which looks like a sharp, lance-shaped ridge. Males and females show colour dimorphism, with males typically brown, olive, and green, with dark patterns. Meanwhile females have a striking rust-red colour with oval spots on their sides.
Found in the vines and tree trunks of primary and secondary rainforests, these lizards are tree-dwellers, spending most of their time in the forest canopy. When they feel threatened, they raise their bodies and flare the crest on their neck to look bigger.
Threats
Palm oil and timber deforestation
The primary threat to the Borneo Forest Dragon is habitat loss due to the clearing of forests for agriculture, including palm oil plantations, and logging activities. As rainforests are cut down, lizards lose access to the trees they depend on for shelter, food, and breeding sites. Fragmentation of their habitat isolates populations and increases their vulnerability to other threats. They are also threatened by agricultural run-off and toxic pesticides impacting their fragile ecosystem.
Habitat destruction
Selective logging and human encroachment have fundamentally changed the structure of the forest making it less suitable for arboreal species like the Borneo Forest Dragon and other reptiles. Secondary forests, while still viable habitats, do not offer the same quality of resources as primary forests.
Climate change
Extreme weather and changes to rainfall patterns due to climate change are likely to threaten their rainforest ecosystem. This shift in weather conditions may disrupt their breeding and food availability, forcing them to move to less suitable environments.
Diet
The Borneo Forest Dragon is an insectivore, feeding primarily on small invertebrates found in their rainforest habitat. These lizards may opportunistically eat other small prey available in the forest, hunting in the trees.
Mating & Reproduction
Borneo anglehead lizards reproduce by laying eggs. Females deposit up to four eggs in a small burrow dug in the soil. The eggs, which are around 22 mm in length, are laid at intervals of three months. The speciesâ arboreal nature means they rely on well-structured forests with plenty of trees and lianas for shelter and nesting sites.
Habitat
The Borneo Forest Dragon is endemic to the island of Borneo. Their range includes Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and Indonesia (Kalimantan), along with the Kingdom of Brunei. The Borneo Anglehead Lizard inhabits primary and secondary rainforests up to 700 metres above sea level. Preferring humid environments near streams where they can find abundant food and nesting sites.
Support the Borneo Forest Dragon by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, itâs 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
Ecology Asia. (2024). Borneo anglehead lizard. Retrieved from https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/borneo-anglehead-lizard.htm
Iskandar, D. & McGuire, J. 2019. Gonocephalus bornensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T99929470A99929479. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T99929470A99929479.en. Accessed on 15 September 2024.
Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Gonocephalus bornensis. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonocephalus_bornensis
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Wildlife Artist Juanchi PĂ©rez
Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneoâs Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The Worldâs Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the worldâs ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time youâre in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
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5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGBrazilian three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes tricinctus
Sumatran Tiger Panthera tigris sondaica
Bateleur Eagle Terathopius ecaudatus
Borneo Forest Dragon Gonocephalus bornensis
Orange-breasted Falcon Falco deiroleucus
Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi
Learn about âsustainableâ palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 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)
Read more#animals #Borneo #BorneoForestDragonGonocephalusBornensis #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #climateChange #deforestation #Dragons #forests #ForgottenAnimals #Indonesia #lizard #lizards #Malaysia #mining #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #petTrade #rainforests #Reptile #SouthEastAsia #timber #VulnerableSpecies
#Terraristics and its #pettrade can increase people's sense for responsibility and #biodiversity. But even strictly protected species are traded illegally, harming their populations. M. Auliya et al. (2025) point to the #illegaltrade with #GalĂĄpagosiguanas, e.g. Conolophus subcristatus.
© This sci blogarticle #StefanFWirth 2025
Reference
M. Auliya et al. (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111104.
Photo
C. subcristatus, by Haplochromis, 2008, Creative Com. 3.0 Unported, 2.5, 2.0, 1.0 Generic licenses
Timneh #Parrots đŠđ are endangered due to people's selfishness, wanting them as #pets driving illegal trade. Boycott the #PetTrade for them! #PalmOil is another threat to their forest in #WestAfrica. #BoycottPalmOil đŽđ« #Boycott4Wildlife
http://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/15/timneh-parrot-psittacus-timneh/
Siamangs are known for their booming boisterous calls. #Endangered in #Indonesia #Malaysia #Thailand from threats incl. #palmoil #deforestation. and the #pettrade. They have no known conservation in place. Help them and #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/siamang-symphalangus-syndactylus/ via @palmoildetect
New exposĂ© of Australiaâs exotic pet trade shows an alarming proliferation of alien, threatened and illegal species
Unregulated wildlife trade poses serious threats to animal welfare, conservation, human health and #biosecurity.
https://theconversation.com/new-expose-of-australias-exotic-pet-trade-shows-an-alarming-proliferation-of-alien-threatened-and-illegal-species-203354
#Pets #Trade online #PetTrade #Biodiversity
Due to the demand from social media, animals are captured, sold into the #pettrade with serious welfare implications, and finally pet owners create social media accounts to post about their new wild pet, perpetuating the endless cycle of suffering.
African grey parrots help each other in times of need
Itâs not only some mammals who help each other in times of need. The cleverest birds: crows, magpies and ravens do as well. They are critically endangered in #Africa due to the #pettrade and #deforestation. Help them by joining the #Boycott4Wildlife
Corvids â birds such as ravens, crows, and magpies â and parrots are considered to be special among birds, as they have unusually large and densely packed brains. They show many cognitive capacities that are linked to an advanced understanding of their surroundings. This has earned them the name âfeathered apesâ. A recent study has found that itâs not only crows and ravens who help one another â grey parrots do as well.
There are a few observations of helping behaviours in non-human animals. For example, vampire bats provide food to other group members and save them from starvation. In more experimental settings, in which scientists can better control the environment, chimpanzees helped each other get a tool that is out of reach, while bonobos even provided help to strangers.
But some animals, like monkeys, donât. This raises the question of how helping behaviours evolved. And are they limited to great apes and humans only, or is this capacity also present in other (non-mammalian) species?
Corvids â birds such as ravens, crows, and magpies â and parrots are considered to be special among birds, as they have unusually large and densely packed brains. They show many cognitive capacities that are linked to an advanced understanding of their surroundings. This has earned them the name âfeathered apesâ. But in recent studies, researchers found that crows and ravens did not help another.
Parrots had not yet been tested, so we decided to find out about their helping behaviours. We tested two parrot species â African grey parrots and blue-headed macaws â and found that the African grey parrots recognised when the other was in need, and would help as a result.
African grey parrots. Eric Isselee/ShutterstockThe experiment
Both parrot species in our study are threatened by extinction in the wild. As a result, we conducted the study with captive parrots belonging to the Loro Parque Foundation, a Spanish conservation non-governmental organisation, in Tenerife. These parrots were well habituated to humans and more than willing to work for some nut rewards.
We trained the birds individually to pick up and place a metal ring, or token, into the open hand of an experimenter. In return for this action, we handed them a piece of walnut as a reward. Once the birds could reliably do this, we placed a pair of parrots into a test room that was separated into two smaller compartments.
We gave tokens to one bird. But its hole facing the experimenter was blocked. This meant that it could not exchange the tokens for food. Its neighbour, however, was able to perform this action. But it was missing the tokens.
In the first trial, Bird A received 10 tokens and could pass them to Bird B. Only Bird B could exchange these tokens for food, while Bird A did not receive any food for performing this action. In the second trial, the roles were reversed and now Bird B could transfer tokens to Bird A, while only Bird A could exchange them for food.
The parrot with the tokens did not receive any immediate rewards for helping out their partner during the trial. This made it a selfless act. But following each trial, the roles were reversed and birds could pay back the received favours.
We found that the African greys reciprocated help, and gave more tokens to their partner if they also received a lot of help before.
We also did two control tests. This was because we werenât able to draw any conclusions about the parrotsâ underlying motivation to help each other from the experiment. They could, for example, be playing or trying to bring the tokens closer to the human hand.
In one control, the parrots couldnât exchange tokens for food. If the birds still transferred tokens to their partner, we could attribute this to their intrinsic motivation to play with objects.
In another control, we wanted to find out if the birds were transferring tokens based on a selfish motivation. We tested the birds without a partner present, consequently, no one on the other side could exchange the token for food. Under these conditions, it wouldnât make sense for the parrot to transfer the tokens into an empty compartment unless they were trying to help themselves by bringing the tokens as close as possible to the experimenterâs hand.
The African greys were able to discriminate between conditions in which help was needed or useless. They transferred fewer tokens if no one was present on the other side, or if the partner could not exchange the tokens for food. However, if the partner could use the tokens and exchange those for food, they readily gave their partner tokens.
This demonstrated that they understood the task and their partnerâs action-based goal: exchange tokens for food.
The blue-headed macaws, on the contrary, generally gave very few tokens to their partners. In fact, they acted rather selfishly, trying to bring the tokens as close as possible to the experimenterâs hand â whether or not another bird was on the other side.
Cognitive capacity
This result is very interesting, as it shows that the cognitive capacity to help another individual in need is present also in a non-mammalian species.
Birds and mammals shared their last common ancestor around 300 million years ago. Considering that monkeys and corvids donât help each other, our findings suggest that the cognitive capacity for helping behaviours evolved multiple times during evolution, independently from one another.
Essentially, facing similar ecological and social pressures can lead to the evolution of the same cognitive capacities for coping with them.
In the case of the African grey parrots, considering they live in large flocks of up to 1,200 individuals, they need to keep track of multiple social interactions at a time: who did I interact with yesterday, was it positive or negative?
They would need to remember these interactions, as they might not see particular individuals every day.
Blue-headed macaws, on the contrary, were observed in smaller flocks of only around 10 individual in the wild. Living in smaller flocks means thereâs less social information to store as the group composition potentially stays rather constant.
It would therefore make sense for parrots, which live in complex societies â with group compositions that change often â to have enhanced cognitive abilities.
Désirée Brucks, Postdoctoral Researcher, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and Auguste von Bayern, Researcher, Max Planck Institute
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
#Africa #AfricanGreyParrot #AfricanNews #AnimalBiodiversityNews #animalCommunication #animalIntelligence #animalRights #BlueStreakedLoryEosReticulata #cognition #deforestation #News #Parrot #Parrots #PesquetsParrotPsittrichasFulgidus #pettrade #TanimbarEclectusParrotEclectusRiedeli #TimnehParrotPsittacusTimneh
Timneh Parrot Psittacus timneh
Timneh Parrot Psittacus timneh
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
Location: Timneh Parrots inhabit the lowland forests, mangroves, and savannahs of West Africa, from Guinea-Bissau to western CĂŽte dâIvoire.
The Timneh Parrot, a smaller and darker cousin of the African Grey Parrot, captivates with their intelligence, vibrant personalities, and ability to mimic speech. However, their beauty and charm have contributed to their decline. The illegal pet trade is depleting wild populations, with poachers raiding nests to meet global demand. Meanwhile, habitat destruction driven by out-of-control palm oil plantations, meat agriculture, and crops like cocoa, coffee, and tobacco is eroding their forest homes.
Research shows that the parrot trade, facilitated by social media, has expanded into new regions like Algeria, where demand for exotic pets continues to fuel poaching. The population declines are staggeringâstudies in Cameroon show local reductions of up to 99% over 14 years due to trapping and habitat loss. Protecting these parrots requires ending the demand for wild-caught birds and halting deforestation in West Africa. Take action today: #BoycottPalmOil, boycott the pet trade #BoycottMeat #Boycott4Wildlife.
Smart and beautiful Timneh #Parrots đŠđlive in #CoteDIvoire đšđź #SierraLeone đžđ± theyâre endangered from the illegal #pet trade #palmoil and #mining #deforestation. They deserve better! Fight for them #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/15/timneh-parrot-psittacus-timneh/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterTimneh #Parrots đŠđ are endangered due to peopleâs selfishness, wanting them as #pets driving illegal trade. Boycott the #PetTrade for them! #PalmOil is another threat to their forest in #WestAfrica. #BoycottPalmOil đŽđ« #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/15/timneh-parrot-psittacus-timneh/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterThis species has been uplisted to Endangered because it is subject to heavy trapping pressure across much of its range. In combination with the high rate of ongoing habitat loss, the species is therefore suspected to be declining rapidly over three generations (47 years).
IUCN Red List
Appearance and Behaviour
Timneh Parrots are smaller than African Greys, measuring 28â33 cm in length and weighing 275â375 grams. Their smoky grey plumage is complemented by maroon tail feathers and an ivory-coloured upper mandible, giving them a subtle but elegant appearance.
Highly intelligent and social, Timneh Parrots thrive in flocks, using a range of vocalisations to communicate. Known for their exceptional ability to mimic human speech, they are sought after as pets, which is contributing massively to their population decline in the wild. In their forest home where they belong, their vocal talents serve a vital role in maintaining flock cohesion and avoiding predators.
Threats
Capture for the Illegal Pet Trade:
The global demand for Timneh Parrots as exotic pets is the primary driver of their decline. Social media platforms have exacerbated this issue by making it easier for poachers and traders to connect with buyers. Research published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research highlights the growing role of online platforms in the parrot trade in Algeria, a region where this market is expanding rapidly. Poachers often destroy nests to capture chicks, causing irreparable harm to wild populations.
Palm oil, cocoa, meat and coffee deforestation:
Expansion of palm oil plantations, meat agriculture, and crops like cocoa, coffee, and tobacco are devastating the forests of West Africa. These activities fragment and degrade the lowland forests and mangroves that Timneh Parrots rely on for nesting and feeding.
Trapping for the Pet Trade Leading to Massive Population Loss:
Research published in the African Journal of Ecology confirms catastrophic population losses in regions like Cameroonâs Korup National Park, where grey parrot populations (including Timneh Parrots) have declined by 99% between 2002 and 2016. These declines are attributed to both trapping for the pet trade and extensive habitat loss.
Hunting for Bush Meat:
In addition to the pet trade, Timneh Parrots are hunted for bushmeat or kept as pets in local communities. This practice, while small-scale, compounds the pressures on their dwindling populations.
Extreme Weather from Climate Change:
Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures from climate change disrupt the ecosystems these parrots depend on, further limiting their already fragmented habitats.
Diet
Timneh Parrots are frugivores and granivores, feeding on a diet of seeds, nuts, fruits, and berries. Their role as seed dispersers is critical to forest health. By consuming fruit and scattering seeds over wide areas, they help regenerate forests and maintain biodiversity. The loss of these parrots would have cascading effects on the ecosystems they support.
Reproduction and Mating
Timneh Parrots nest in tree cavities, laying 2â4 eggs that are incubated for approximately 28â30 days. Both parents participate in raising the chicks, which fledge around 10â12 weeks after hatching.
Suitable nesting sites are increasingly scarce due to deforestation and logging, leaving parrots to compete for the few remaining mature trees. This scarcity directly impacts their reproductive success, pushing them closer to extinction.
Geographic Range
Timneh Parrots are endemic to West Africa, with a range spanning Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and western CĂŽte dâIvoire. They inhabit lowland rainforests, mangroves, and savannahs but are increasingly restricted to isolated forest patches due to deforestation.
Efforts to conserve these parrots require protecting their remaining habitats and restoring degraded forests to expand their range.
FAQ
Are Timneh Parrots good pets?
Timneh Parrots are intelligent and bond strongly. However a strong warning and reminder â keeping Timneh Parrots as pets is an incredibly selfish act, as it is contributing to their extinction. Many parrots sold in the pet trade are illegally caught from the wild, causing immense suffering, the destruction of family units of birds and decimating populations. If you care about these parrots, you must advocate against the demand for exotic pets instead.
What is the lifespan of a Timneh?
In captivity, Timneh Parrots can live up to 50â60 years or more. In the wild, their lifespan is shorter due to the challenges posed by predation, disease, and habitat destruction. Timneh Parrots are not suitable pets because their species is going extinct due to the pet trade.
What is the difference between African Grey and Timneh?
Timneh Parrots are smaller and darker than African Greys. They have maroon tails and ivory-coloured upper mandibles, compared to the African Greyâs bright red tails and black bills. Timnehs are also considered less nervous and more adaptable.
What are the threats to Timneh Parrots?
The main threats include the illegal pet trade, deforestation for palm oil, cocoa, and coffee plantations, hunting for bushmeat, and climate change. Social media platforms have worsened the pet trade by facilitating connections between poachers and buyers.
Take Action!
The Timneh Parrot is on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. Refuse to support the exotic pet market, boycott products linked to deforestation, and demand conservation efforts to protect their habitats. Every choice you make can help save them: #BoycottPalmOil #BoycottMeat #Boycott4Wildlife.
Timneh Parrot Psittacus timneh
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
Ameziane, I. N., Razkallah, I., Zebsa, R., Bensakhri, Z., Bensouilah, S., Bouslama, Z., Nijman, V., Houhamdi, M., & Atoussi, S. (2024). Disentangling the role of social media in the online parrot trade in Algeria. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 70(68). Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10344-024-01821-3
BirdLife International. 2019. Psittacus timneh (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22736498A155462561. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22736498A155462561.en. Downloaded on 15 February 2021.
BirdLife International. (n.d.). Species factsheet: Timneh Parrot. Retrieved from: https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/timneh-parrot-psittacus-timneh/text
Birds of the World. (n.d.). Timneh Parrot. Retrieved from https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grypar10/cur/introduction
Reinhold, N., Wobker, J., Schröder, T., Kemnade, C., Bobo, K. S., & Waltert, M. (2020). Confirmation of strong declines of grey parrots in the Korup region, Cameroon, between 2002 and 2016. African Journal of Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12837
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Timneh Parrot. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timneh_parrot
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
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Join 1,391 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Wildlife Artist Juanchi PĂ©rez
Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneoâs Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The Worldâs Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the worldâs ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time youâre in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
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5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support#Bird #birds #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #CoteDIvoire #deforestation #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #Guinea #GuineaBissau #IvoryCoast #Liberia #mining #palmoil #Parrot #Parrots #pet #pets #pettrade #SierraLeone #SierraLeone #TimnehParrotPsittacusTimneh #WestAfrica
Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni
Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
Location: Indonesia â Biak Island, Supiori Island, Numfor Island (Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesian-occupied West Papua)
The blue-eyed spotted #cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni, also known as the Biak spotted cuscus lives in the lowland tropical rainforests on remote and rugged islands in Cenderawasih Bay: Biak Island, Supiori Island, Numfor Island (Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesian-occupied #WestPapua). These sweet-natured icy-blue eyed #marsupials are Critically Endangered due to a range of threats. They face ongoing population collapse, driven by #palmoil and #timber #deforestation, #hunting, and capture for the illegal exotic #pettrade. Most sightings today are of captive individuals, with wild populations potentially already extirpated from much of their historic range. Time is rapidly running out to save these the last remaining Spilocuscus wilsoni individuals. Use your wallet as a weapon in the supermarket and always choose products that are 100% #palmoilfree.#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife and adopt a #Vegan lifestyle.
With icy-blue eyes, fluffy fur and gentle demeanour, Blue-eyed Spotted #Cuscus are treasures of #WestPapua now critically #endangered due to #palmoil #deforestation and rampant hunting. Help them survive when you #BoycottPalmOil đŽđ©žâ#Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/26/blue-eyed-spotted-cuscus-spilocuscus-wilsoni/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterLiving on Biak and Supiori islands #WestPapua, Blue-Eyed Spotted #cuscus are critically endangeredđż The islands are being destroyed for #palmoil and other #agriculture. Take action for #marsupials when you shop #BoycottPalmOil đŽđđđ„âïž #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/26/blue-eyed-spotted-cuscus-spilocuscus-wilsoni/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance and Behaviour
The blue-eyed spotted cuscus is a mesmerising animal, distinguished by its striking pale blue eyesâan extremely rare trait among marsupials. They have a marbled coat patterned in shades of brown, grey, white, and cream, which varies by age and sex. Males typically exhibit more prominent blotches and spots, while juvenile females may appear spotless and pale yellow or creamy. This species lives high in the rainforest canopy, moving slowly and cautiously among the branches. As a member of the genus Spilocuscus, they are shy, solitary, and largely nocturnal, relying on camouflage and stillness to evade predators.
Diet
Like other spotted cuscus species, the blue-eyed spotted cuscus feeds on a variety of plant matter. Their diet includes leaves, fruits, flowers, and possibly bark. Foraging mostly takes place at night, using their strong limbs and prehensile tail to navigate the treetops in search of food.
Reproduction and Mating
Little is known about the breeding behaviour of the blue-eyed spotted cuscus due to their rarity in the wild. As marsupials, females likely give birth to underdeveloped young that complete their development in a pouch. It is presumed that, like related species, they raise one to two offspring at a time, and may breed seasonally depending on food availability.
Geographic Range
This cuscus species is endemic to the islands of Biak and Supiori in Cenderawasih Bay, with a few individuals reported from Numfor Island, where they may have been introduced as pets. Once more widespread, they are now rarely encountered outside of captivity. The rugged terrain of Supiori has helped protect some of their habitat, but populations on Biak have been decimated by deforestation and human encroachment.
Threats
The Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus is listed as Critically Endangered because of a continuing drastic population decline, inferred to be more than 80% from the rate and extent of habitat loss in the last 10 years due to massive deforestation on Biak-Supiori and from levels of exploitation. This species is threatened by rapid, ongoing deforestation of suitable habitat, and by hunting for food and collection as a pets by local people.
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FAQs
How many blue-eyed spotted cuscuses are left?
There are no exact population estimates, but the IUCN (2021) infers a population decline of over 80% in the last decade, with wild individuals now rarely seen. Most sightings are of pets or museum specimens, and recent field surveys have failed to find any wild individuals on Biak (IUCN, 2021).
How long do blue-eyed spotted cuscuses live?
Lifespan data for this species is lacking. However, similar species of cuscus in captivity can live 10â15 years, though wild lifespans are likely shorter due to threats from hunting and habitat loss.
Are blue-eyed spotted cuscuses endangered because of palm oil?
Yes. Palm oil deforestation is a major driver of habitat loss in their range. The rapid clearing of lowland rainforest on Biak and Supiori has destroyed much of their habitat. This, combined with hunting and the pet trade, has pushed them to the brink (IUCN, 2021).
Do blue-eyed spotted cuscuses make good pets?
No. Keeping blue-eyed spotted cuscuses as pets is cruel and contributes directly to their extinction. These gentle, tree-dwelling marsupials belong in the rainforest. Many animals in the pet trade are stolen from the wild, causing immense suffering and breaking apart family groups. If you truly care about them, never support the exotic pet trade and advocate against it.
What are the conservation challenges for this species?
The blue-eyed spotted cuscus suffers from neglect in conservation priorities. There are no species-specific conservation efforts, and only a small portion of its range is protected. Further studies into their distribution and natural history are urgently needed to inform protection strategies (Yohanita et al., 2023).
Further Information
Aplin, K. & Helgen, K. 2016. Spilocuscus wilsoni. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T136443A21950078. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136443A21950078.en. Downloaded on 26 January 2021.
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Blue-eyed spotted cuscus. Wikipedia. Retrieved 18 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-eyed_spotted_cuscus
Yohanita, A. M., Widayati, K. A., Atmowidi, T., Imai, H., & Suryobroto, B. (2023). New localities and sexual dichromatism in Blue-green eyed Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni from Biak Island, Indonesia. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 15(9), 23836â23842. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8179.15.9.23836-23842
Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni
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