Maleo Research

AlTo’s maleo research program is aimed at learning essential facts about the maleo’s biology and ecology that must be discovered in order to ensure the maleo’s long-term survival in a human-dominated landscape.

AlTo’s research program began in 2017, and is being carried out in collaboration with Indonesian maleo experts and local people, including former poachers, under a research permit from the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia (RISTEK). It includes the following components:

-Documentation of how a community-based approach to end poaching and protect nesting grounds has recovered maleo populations

Read the article:

Tasirin, J.S., Iskandar, D.T., Laya, A., Kresno, P., Suling, N., Oga, V.T., Djano, R., Bawotong, A., Nur, A., Isfanddri, M., Abbas, W., Rihu, N.A., Poli, E., Lanusi, A.A. & Summers, M. 2021. Maleo Macrocephalon maleo population recovery at two Sulawesi nesting grounds after community engagement to prevent egg poaching. Global Ecology & Conservation 28, e01699.

 –A Sulawesi-wide survey of all known active maleo nesting grounds (manuscript currently in preparation)

 –A systematic assessment of the drivers of maleo nesting ground decline (manuscript currently in preparation)

 –Monitoring of color-banded adult maleos to assess survivorship, fecundity, and other aspects of maleo biology and ecology (in progress)

 –Assessment of rates of predation by monitor lizards (Varanus) on maleo eggs and chicks (in progress)