Parrots, cockatoos face extinction

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Protected parrots and yellow- crested cockatoos are on the brink of disappearing from the province due to poaching, a local official said here yesterday.

The few remaining birds are mainly confined to Moyo island, in Sumbawa regency, and are now rarely seen on Lombok, said Agus Bambang of the provincial office of natural resources conservation.

The birds are in danger because of their popularity with poachers. A newly captured parrot fetches about Rp 35,000 (US$15) and a cockatoo Rp 25,000. But ones which have been trained to imitate sounds can sell for up to Rp 500,000 each, Antara reported.

According to Bambang, there are only about 500 cockatoos on Moyo and a similar number of parrots.

Reared in the forest, they lay eggs and raise their young in holes in dead trees. People catch them with nets or glue. (pan)