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The maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) of Sulawesi, Indonesia, is culturally iconic and Critically Endangered, but the causes of its decline have never been systematically analyzed nor its nesting grounds comprehensively surveyed. We visited 122 previously known and 58 previously unrecorded sites, collecting data and interviewing local people at each site. We used ordinal logistic regression to fit models with combinations of 18 different predation, habitat, and nesting ground variables to determine the strongest predictors of nesting ground success, as represented by maleo numbers. At least 56% of known nesting grounds are now inactive (abandoned), and 63% of remaining active sites host ≤ 2 pairs/day at peak season. Egg-taking by humans is the single biggest driver of maleo decline. Protecting eggs in situ predicts higher maleo numbers than protecting eggs through hatchery methods. After egg-taking, quality (not length) of the travel corridor connecting nesting ground to primary forest best predicts nesting ground success. Being inside a federally protected area is not a primary driver of success, and does not ensure persistence: 28% of federally protected nesting grounds have become inactive. Local conservation efforts protected nesting grounds 2‒3 times better than federal protection. We update the methodology for assessing nesting ground status, and recommend five measures for maleo conservation, the foremost being to protect nesting grounds from egg-taking by humans at all remaining active sites.

The Maleo bird ( Macrocephalon maleo ) is a native to Sulawesi Island of Indonesia, where there is currently a downward trend in numbers owing to habitat loss, predation, and poaching of their eggs. A viable option for overcoming the population decline is conserving the species, as controlling its egg hatching. This research examined the methodological aspects, challenges, and outcomes of the Maleo birds’ egg at hatching programs and the importance of storing in situ conservation efforts. The results showed Maleo eggs can hatch at incubator temperature conditions of 32 – 36°C, and the highest hatchability was obtained at 34°C.

The decline in the Maleo population due to the decrease in suitable nesting sites caused the need for Maleo conservation activities such as protecting Maleo’s nesting site and their eggs. This study aims to analyze aspects of Maleo chicks captive management and assess Maleo chicks welfare levels in Hungayono Sanctuary. The method used is direct observation, interviews, and literature studies. Data analysis was carried out by describing the welfare assessment. The results showed that welfare management in Hungayono includes the management of cages, feed, and health. Management activities for the aspects of cages, feed, and overall health are still lacking. This is because several important aspects had not been fulfilled in management, such as the quantity and quality of the cages, feed and water given, also medical personnel and facilities. Maleo chick’s welfare level in Hungayono had a value of 49.73, which was categorized as low. The aspect of freedom from pain, injury, and disease had the lowest score, which was 1.92. In conclusion, the overall management of maleo chick's in Hungayono was still lacking and needed to be improved. The welfare level of Maleo chick’s was low, with freedom from pain, injury, and disease having the lowest score. Hungayono managers need to add medical personnel and increase the quality and quantity of their medical facilities to improve the aspects of freedom from pain, injury, and disease.

IUCN categorizes Maleo Bird ( Macrocephalon maleo ) as an endemic and endangered species meaning that the species is facing a high risk of extinction soon. One of the critical aspects determining the species^ existence is its habitat. The endangered species habitat not only plays a vital role in the species^ survival but also in its to reproduce. The research method used was the modified Environmental Health Index Determination developed. The research was at Kadidia Village, Lore Lindu National Park. The research aims to determine the habitat’s health status by identifying its Health Index. The research method used is a site survey by applying direct observation to habitat components, including conditions, species, and related socio-economic aspects. Variables measured are excellent, good, moderate and poor. The results showed that the health index of the habitat (nesting ground) is moderate/fair, with a Health Index of 0.55. Therefore, regular monitoring and conservation action should ensure that the habitat is adequately managed and conserved.

Janis and Carrano (1992) suggested that large dinosaurs might have faced a lower risk of extinction under ecological changes than similar-sized mammals because large dinosaurs had a higher potential reproductive output than similar-sized mammals (JC hypothesis). First, we tested the assumption underlying the JC hypothesis. We therefore analysed the potential reproductive output (reflected in clutch/litter size and annual offspring number) of extant terrestrial mammals and birds (as \"dinosaur analogs\") and of extinct dinosaurs. With the exception of rodents, the differences in the reproductive output of similar-sized birds and mammals proposed by Janis and Carrano (1992) existed even at the level of single orders. Fossil dinosaur clutches were larger than litters of similar-sized mammals, and dinosaur clutch sizes were comparable to those of similar-sized birds. Because the extinction risk of extant species often correlates with a low reproductive output, the latter difference suggests a lower risk of population extinction in dinosaurs than in mammals. Second, we present a very simple, mathematical model that demonstrates the advantage of a high reproductive output underlying the JC hypothesis. It predicts that a species with a high reproductive output that usually faces very high juvenile mortalities will benefit more strongly in terms of population size from reduced juvenile mortalities (e.g., resulting from a stochastic reduction in population size) than a species with a low reproductive output that usually comprises low juvenile mortalities. Based on our results, we suggest that reproductive strategy could have contributed to the evolution of the exceptional gigantism seen in dinosaurs that does not exist in extant terrestrial mammals. Large dinosaurs, e.g., the sauropods, may have easily sustained populations of very large-bodied species over evolutionary time.

The Maleo Macrocephalon Maleo is a megapode bird endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, that lays large eggs at communal nesting grounds in naturally-heated sands or soils. It is classified as ‘Endangered’ and many populations have been extirpated due to overexploitation of eggs and loss of connectivity between forest and nesting grounds. The distribution and status of nesting grounds across Northern and Central Sulawesi are relatively well-established, but almost nothing is known about potential Maleo populations of South-east Sulawesi. In this study we used previously established methods to formally assess the status of three Maleo nesting grounds in Buton, South-east Sulawesi, and interviewed egg collectors at these three sites to determine the trends of populations and threats over time. All nesting grounds were severely threatened and can be expected to be abandoned in the near future due to extensive harvest of eggs and deforestation. Eggs were collected both for the wildlife trade (intensively harvested and sold as luxury items to people from distant cities) and local use (opportunistically harvested and both eaten and sold locally). All egg collectors remarked on an increase in illegal logging around nesting grounds over the previous decade. Though the Maleo’s current situation is dire, previous case studies show that collaborative grassroots initiatives supported by government and NGOs can protect nesting grounds and reverse population declines.

Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) is an endemic species inhabiting Sulawesi island and is listed as Endangered under IUCN Red Data List. However, number of adult individuals of the species found in the wild was predicted to be decreasing. Most data available for the species are scattered and or not reported. Therefore, more published research is needed as regard to population size, distribution, and trends of maleo. One site identified as habitat of maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) was located in the coastal area of Kambunong Cape, West Sulawesi Province. This study attempts to examine the nesting site, population trends of the species and to identify nthropogenic and non-anthropogenic threats towards the population in the area. Index point of abundance (IPA) combined with line transect techniques were applied to estimate population of the species. Seven line transects were deployed and combined with 30 circular plots distributed across the lines covering 100 ha of the coastal area in Kambunong Cape. Meanwhile, types of threats posed to the population were explored by using semi-structure interviews to the locals. The results have shown that the total of relative abundance estimated for the species in the area was 5.091 individuals/ha for 30 observation plots or 16.97 (=17) individuals found in 100 ha. There was only one site utilized by the species located in a poor environment. Decreasing trends of the population was mostly due to habitat modification and fragmentation combined with illegal egg hunting/collection as well as high intensity of human activities nearby their home range.

Background: Noninvasive DNA sampling has been applied across many avian genetic studies for a variety of purposes including conservation and management of endangered birds. However, its application in megapodes is still lacking. The previous genetic studies on megapodes used either blood or fresh tissue. Here we present the first demonstration of the use of eggshell membrane for research on endangered Maleo ( Macrocephalon maleo).  Methods: We used 24 post-hatched eggshell membranes collected from two different sites, Tambun and Tanjung Binerean, in North Sulawesi, 12 samples in each. Two different DNA extraction methods: alkaline lysis method and gSYNC TM DNA Extraction Kit were applied.  To determine the sex of Maleo, we utilized PCR-based DNA sexing using CHD genes, with the primer set 2550F/2718R.  Results: We successfully extracted all samples; the mean sample concentration was 267.5 ng/µl (range 47-510.5 ng/µl) and samples were of high purity (A260/280 ratio 1.85±0.03). All samples were used to successfully identified sexes, 9 females and 15 males.  Conclusions: Our research clearly illustrates that eggshell membranes can be used for DNA sexing and open the possibility to build noninvasive DNA collections over large spatial scales for population study of endangered birds.