Bengal Florican Houbaropsis Bengalensis Research Articles

Current conservation status of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in Manas National Park, Assam, India

Current conservation status of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in Manas National Park, Assam, India

Birds of D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh: Summer Surveys

D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India is one of the finest grassland sanctuaries of India, with perhaps the largest population of Critically Endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis . It also has many globally threatened wet grassland species such as Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris , Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis , Swamp Grass-babbler Liticilla cinerascens , Jerdon’s Babbler Chrysomma altirostre griseigularis , and Marsh Babbler Pellorneum palustrus . During summer visits in 2015 and 2016, 131 bird species have been identified, but more are likely to occur. Detailed ecological and ornithological studies are required in this wonderful but neglected sanctuary.

Birds of D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh: Summer Surveys

D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India is one of the finest grassland sanctuaries of India, with perhaps the largest population of Critically Endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis . It also has many globally threatened wet grassland species such as Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris , Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis , Swamp Grass-babbler Liticilla cinerascens , Jerdon’s Babbler Chrysomma altirostre griseigularis , and Marsh Babbler Pellorneum palustrus . During summer visits in 2015 and 2016, 131 bird species have been identified, but more are likely to occur. Detailed ecological and ornithological studies are required in this wonderful but neglected sanctuary.

Population status and distribution of the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in the grassland of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

The Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis is one of the most threatened terrestrial bird species, listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN. This species is protected globally and locally due to very low population (global population is approximately 250–999 individuals), and little is known about its distribution and habitat use. We assessed population status and distribution of floricans in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal (KTWR). We surveyed 57 1-km2 randomly distributed blocks across the reserve to record as many individuals as possible during their breeding season (March–May). We walked 2,964 transects (52 transects on each block) each of length 1 km on 57 blocks of 1-km2 to estimate their population. We surveyed when the birds are most active during early morning (0600–0930 h) and later afternoon (1530–1900 h). We calculated grass importance value index (IVI), grass species composition, grass height, relative frequency of grass species, relative density of grass species, percent of grass ground coverage, presence/absence of human activity, and presence/absence of livestock to assess the habitat condition. We recorded 18 individuals (16 males and 2 females) inside the core of the reserve, where the habitat is dominated by Imperata cylindrica. Human disturbance had a negative impact on occurrence of the florican. We recommend implementing a Bengal Florican-specific conservation action plan to promote community-based conservation and restrict human encroachment in the grassland habitat.

IUCN captive management guidelines support ex situ conservation of the Bengal florican Houbaropsis bengalensis blandini

AbstractEx situ conservation of species is risky and expensive, but it can prevent extinction when in situ conservation fails. We used the IUCN Guidelines on the Use of Ex Situ Management for Species Conservation to evaluate whether to begin ex situ conservation for the South-east Asian subspecies of Bengal florican Houbaropsis bengalensis blandini, which is predicted to be extinct in the wild within 5 years. To inform our decision, we developed a decision tree, and used a demographic model to evaluate the probability of establishing a captive population under a range of husbandry scenarios and egg harvest regimes, and compared this with the probability of the wild population persisting. The model showed that if ex situ conservation draws on international best practice in bustard husbandry there is a high probability of establishing a captive population, but the wild population is unlikely to persist. We identified and evaluated the practical risks associated with ex situ conservation, and documented our plans to mitigate them. Modelling shows that it is unlikely that birds could be released within 20–30 years, by which time genetic, morphological and behavioural changes in the captive population, combined with habitat loss and extinction of the wild population, make it unlikely that Bengal florican could be released into a situation approximating their current wild state. We considered the philosophical and practical implications through a decision tree so that our decision to begin ex situ management is not held back by our preconceived notions of what it means to be wild.

Catastrophic ongoing decline in Cambodia’s Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis population

SummaryIn 2013 a prediction was made that the South-East Asian subspecies of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis blandini would be extinct within 10 years. In 2018 we conducted a survey in the Tonle Sap floodplain, Cambodia, of the last population of Bengal Florican in South-East Asia. We found that the rate of decline in displaying males was 55% over five years, a decline comparable to that recorded between 2005–2007 and 2012. The estimated number of displaying males in 2018 was 104 (95% CI: 89–117), down from 216 (156–275) in 2012. We also conducted surveys by flushing birds in the non-breeding season, which indicated that the sex ratio of males to females is 3:1. We therefore estimate that the total population of adult Bengal Floricans in Cambodia in 2018 was 138 (119–156), making H. b. blandini the most threatened bustard taxon. The number of sites that support displaying male Bengal Floricans was reduced from 10 to four between 2012 and 2018. Between 2012 and 2018 we monitored numbers of displaying males in most years at the sites that support 80% of the total population. The only site where numbers of birds are stable is Stoung-Chikraeng Bengal Florican Conservation Area, where there were 44 (25–63) displaying males in 2018. This is the only site that has an ongoing NGO-government conservation programme. Our data indicate that Bengal Floricans are lost from sites when the area of grassland falls below 25 km2. We found evidence that displaying male Bengal Floricans abandon display territories when grassland is lost, this also creates hope that they may disperse and could colonise newly created habitat. All remaining sites that support Bengal Floricans in Cambodia are imperilled and we outline what must be done to reduce the possibility that H. b. blandini will be extinct by 2023.

Distribution, movements, and survival of the critically endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in India and Nepal

We undertook field surveys of the critically endangered Bengal Florican throughout its range in India and Nepal and used the results to develop models of distribution to identify new populations. We also tagged 11 birds with satellite transmitters to assess their distribution and habitat use during the non-breeding season, about which nothing is known. The models suggest that the distribution is now extremely fragmented in the west, although potentially sizeable populations may await discovery in eastern parts of the species’ range, particularly along the Brahmaputra River. After breeding, tagged birds left their breeding sites inside protected areas (PAs) and moved up to 80 km into landscapes characterised by relatively low-intensity agriculture along rivers with lower than average human population densities. Many birds spent more than six months away from their breeding grounds outside PAs. Models of non-breeding distribution suggest that some breeding areas become unsuitable at that time of the year, and therefore that birds may be forced to leave PAs at that time. Tagged birds had high annual adult survival rates (0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.858–0.953). Home ranges during the non-breeding season were significantly larger than breeding season home ranges. The results suggest that the conservation of this species needs to account for the species’ use outside the breeding season of less intensively cultivated floodplain-agricultural landscapes, as well as protecting breeding grassland sites.

Conserving a globally threatened species in a semi-natural, agrarian landscape

AbstractAgriculture threatens biodiversity across the tropics, particularly in semi-natural grassland landscapes, where human populations are high, habitat is easily converted and agriculture is prone to intensification. Over the last 20 years intensive, commercial dry season rice cultivation has emerged as the dominant threat to the Bengal florican Houbaropsis bengalensis, a globally threatened bustard that breeds in the seasonally inundated grasslands of central Cambodia. Although floricans have been extensively monitored for 10 years, no socioeconomic research has been undertaken to examine how local livelihood activities interact with the florican. We conducted household questionnaires and focus groups in 21 villages in the Northern Tonle Sap Conservation Landscape to gather information on household demographics, rice farming and bird hunting in protected and unprotected areas of florican breeding habitat. We identified a significant increase in dry season rice adoption by local communities since 2005. Dry season rice cultivation was strongly associated with agrochemical use and rice fields directly overlapped with florican breeding habitat, reducing habitat availability throughout the breeding season. We identified a low but significant level of bird hunting in grassland households (8%) and revealed a demand for wild bird meat amongst local communities. Our findings suggest an urgent need for conservation interventions in unprotected farmland and emphasize the role of enforcement and community engagement in improving protection within protected areas. We highlight the potential of private sector initiatives such as the Sustainable Rice Platform in reconciling conservation and development for impoverished rural communities.

Rapid decline of the largest remaining population of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis and recommendations for its conservation

SummaryA census of the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis was conducted between March and May 2012 on and surrounding the Tonle Sap floodplain in Cambodia, which supports the last extant population of the Indochinese subspecies blandini. We found a decline in the number of displaying males of 44–64% since a comparable estimate from the same sites in 2005 to 2007. The estimated population, including five individuals at one previously unsurveyed site, is now 216 (95% CI 156–275) displaying males, plus potential non-displaying males and an unknown number of females. If numbers continue to be lost at a similar rate, it is possible that blandini would become extinct within 10 years. Although the population faces multiple threats, this critical situation has primarily been caused by the recent, rapid conversion of the florican’s grassland habitat to intensive, industrial-scale, irrigated rice cultivation. To protect the Bengal Florican from extinction in South East Asia, existing Bengal Florican Conservation Areas (BFCAs) need expansion and improvements, including strengthened legal status by prime ministerial sub-decree and better demarcation, patrolling and management. As priorities, both irrigated rice and scrub encroachment within the BFCAs needs to be reversed, local communities better supported, and land outside the BFCAs monitored and strategically managed for florican conservation. Where possible, further BFCAs need to be established. Land purchase may also be an effective conservation measure; leasing land earmarked for cultivation would be cheaper, but less secure.

Survey of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis bengalensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Gruiformes: Otididae) in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and adjoining areas, Nepal

The Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis is a Critically Endangered bird species. Populations have been monitored in Nepal since 1982, and the most recent study showed a precipitous decline despite the species being mainly confined to protected areas. A systematic survey was conducted in parts of the Koshi area during April and May 2012 by walking transects in known and accessible grasslands. The total of 47 birds counted during this survey represents the largest known population in Nepal, and perhaps the most densely populated area in the entire Indian subcontinent. A crude extrapolation of the count for the entire Koshi area gives an estimate of 60 birds. Several conservation recommendations have been made to ensure florican populations continue to thrive in the KoshiTappu area.

Sighting record of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Aves: Gruiformes: Otididae) in Lower Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh, India

The Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalens is a Critically Endangered species in India and Southeast Asia. It was once common in northern India, Nepal and the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam in northeastern India. We sighted a male Bengal Florican at New Elopa locality, ower Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh.

Conservation status of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis bengalensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Gruiformes: Otididae) in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and adjoining areas, eastern Nepal

Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis is one of the most critically threatened birds of the world. The species has restricted distribution within the Indian subcontinent extending southeast to parts of Cambodia and Vietnam. The population of the species is being monitored in Nepal since 1982. The most recent study on the species shows a precipitous decline in its population, even for a species mainly confined to protected areas. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and adjoining areas had been omitted in previous surveys mainly because the area was considered not to hold any significant number of the species. Opportunistic surveys in April and May 2011 indicated that there is a comeback of this species in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and the adjoining riverine grasslands. As many as 12 pairs were estimated. Further systematic surveys are recommended to find out the total population of the species.