Rare birds more precious than gold
The entire range of the threatened birds overlaps with a nearly 104,000-acre gold mining concession on Mt . Sahendaruman . A court ruled in January 2023 that the environmental permit issued to the company was invalid and local authorities were ordered to revoke the license because proper procedures had not been followed and the environmental impact analysis was deemed inadequate . The Supreme Court of Indonesia ruled that the law against mining on “ small islands ” like Sangihe was breached by the permit .
one of the valleys in kulur village | courtesy of partner burung indonedsia the Sangihe birds ’ habitats . Recently , he described these extraordinary birds as “ relics of an ancient world who became stranded on these little islands and survived .”
“ The most important single thing that can be said about a small population of a species is that we must make it bigger .” - dr . nigel collar
How did they get there ? Where else did they exist , and for how long ? The answers are lost in the mists of history . What is extraordinary is that they are still present on Sangihe island — just barely . Dr . Collar reminds us of the risks when he says , “ The most important single thing that can be said about a small population of a species is that we must make it bigger .”
Hope for these birds is tied to the intact fragments of forest on the rugged , mountainous slopes that have not yet been leveled to grow coconut and spices , with their full canopy cover of large trees , climbing plants and palm-like shrubs . But as land runs out , these higher areas will also be breached .
Rainforest Trust is working with local partner Burung Indonesia to save the critically endangered birds and the sangihe whistler | burung indonesia
Between 50-249 Sangihe Whistlers are estimated to remain .
other species that share this landscape . In collaboration with the government of Indonesia , the project supports the declaration of 7,756 acres on Mt . Sahendaruman as an Area of High Biodiversity Value recognized by the government of Indonesia . Another estimated 494 acres will be designated Village Forests .
Once the birds ’ habitat is protected with a generous buffer around it , the threats of agriculture and mining will be held at bay . Regular monitoring of bird populations will keep a close eye on their status , and local communities will increasingly celebrate the uniqueness and importance of these exceptional birds .