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 BRIN (Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency). It includes the following components:

– The first comprehensive historical and current assessment of the status of known Maleo nesting grounds range-wide

Read the article:

Marcy Summers, Matthew Geary, Johny S Tasirin, Nurlin Djuni, Landon J Summers, Pandji A Kresno, Agustian Laya, Stallin M Sawuwu, Adrianus Bawotong, Wiranto Abas, Vivi Tan Oga, Ahmad Muh Nur, Moh Isfanddri, Peter Robertson, Philip J K McGowan, Nigel J Collar. 2025. Massive declines and local recoveries: First range-wide assessment spotlights ending egg-taking as key to the survival of Macrocephalon maleo (Maleo). Ornithological Applications, Volume 127, Issue 3, 5 August 2025.

– A systematic assessment of the drivers of Maleo nesting ground decline

Read the article:

Marcy Summers, Matthew Geary, Nurlin Djuni, Pandji Kresno, Agustian Laya, Stallin M Sawuwu, Adrianus Bawotong, Wiranto Abas, Vivi Tan Oga, Ahmad Muh Nur, Moh Isfanddri, Galen Priest, Philip McGowan, Johny S Tasirin, Nigel J Collar. 2023. Degree of egg-taking by humans determines the fate of maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) nesting grounds across Sulawesi . Biodiversity and Conservation 32:899-919, e559.

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

Read the article:

Johny S Tasirin, Djoko T Iskandar, Agustian Laya, Pandji Kresno, Noval Suling, Vivi Tan Oga, Ritfan Djano, Adrianus Bawotong, Ahmad Muh Nur, Moh Isfanddri, Wiranto Abas, Nurhidayah A Rihu, Ermalinda Poli, Asnim A Lanusi, Marcy Summers. 2021. Maleo Macrocephalon maleo population recovery at two Sulawesi nesting grounds after community engagement to prevent egg poaching. Global Ecology & Conservation 28, e01699.

– 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)