Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>EEP</strong> STUDBOOK CROWNED PIGEONS<br />
6.7 Status and threats of crowned <strong>pigeon</strong>s in Papua New Guinea<br />
<strong>Crowned</strong> <strong>pigeon</strong>s are very common in the suitable but remote areas. The <strong>number</strong> of crowned<br />
<strong>pigeon</strong>s in the Lakekamu-Kunimaipa Basin (1,600 square kilometres), which isn’t very<br />
remote in comparison to areas close to the Fly River, is estimated at “several hundreds” by<br />
Conservation International.<br />
Although the population is declining slightly, there is no immediate danger for extinction. The<br />
major threat for crowned <strong>pigeon</strong>s in Papua New Guinea is the rapid growth of the population.<br />
Furthermore, problems can occur in the future by logging and mining and the law which<br />
forbids the trade in weapons. There are very many politicians who want to abolish this law.<br />
Little is known about the exact distribution of crowned <strong>pigeon</strong>s in New Guinea. To get a<br />
better view on distribution, status and threats of crowned <strong>pigeon</strong>s. A questionnaire was send<br />
out to the 37 couples of Peace Corps volunteers in Papua New Guinea. Questions were asked<br />
about their exact location including height, the presence of crowned <strong>pigeon</strong>s (and which<br />
species) and the role they play for the local people: do they hunt them down or not, how many<br />
do they shoot per month and do they have guns or just bows and arrows. The researcher also<br />
asked questions about the development of the <strong>number</strong> of crowned <strong>pigeon</strong>s. Although it is very<br />
hard to get a letter within a years time on the right location, 18 couples of Peace Corps<br />
volunteers responded, which is 56 %.<br />
According to literature, crowned <strong>pigeon</strong>s only occur in lowlands up to a height of maximal 400<br />
meters above sealevel. According to the returned questionnaires, there are at least two “new”<br />
locations, one even on a height of 2000 meters! It is not possible to confirm the reliability of the<br />
questionnaires, but both “strange results” were studied very well and they seem reliable, because<br />
they are very extensively completed with examples.<br />
6.7.1 Questions which have been asked to the Peace Corps People.<br />
• Can you estimate the altitude of your village?<br />
• Are there lots of forests, or is it mainly grassland?<br />
• Are there a lot of rivers, creeks and other waters in the surroundings of the village?<br />
• Can you find "Gurias" (crowned <strong>pigeon</strong>s) in the surroundings of your village?<br />
• Do the people in your village have guns, or do they hunt with bow and arrow? (If guns,<br />
please say how many!)<br />
• Do they shoot "Gurias"? (If yes, please say (on average) how many a month!)<br />
• Do the people of your village know when the breeding season of the "Gurias" close to<br />
your village is?<br />
• Is the population of "Gurias" close to your village increasing, decreasing, or remains it the<br />
same?<br />
• Is there any special relationship of "Gurias" between your villagers (e.g. special beliefs,<br />
special use of "Guria" products etc.)<br />
• Do the villagers know something special about "Gurias" (e.g. special food or habits?)<br />
140
Change language