Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros halophyllus

Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros halophyllus

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Location: Thailand (Chiang Mai, Lop Buri, Sara Buri, Sa Kaeo), Northern Peninsular Malaysia (Perlis)

Habitat: Limestone caves in lowland forests between sea level and 480 metres

The Thailand leaf-nosed #bat (Hipposideros halophyllus) is a #Vulnerable and elusive bat species confined to the limestone cave systems of # Thailand and northern Peninsular # Malaysia. With fewer than 10,000 individuals remaining, and many local populations under threat from limestone #mining, #palmoil and #timber deforestation, and #pesticide use, this cave-dwelling species is projected to decline by at least 15% over the next 15 years. Found only in isolated forest patches, these #bats are easily disturbed and highly sensitive to habitat change. Protecting them begins with rejecting destructive industries. Help them when you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife and adopt a #Vegan lifestyle.

Bats are absolutely essential to forest eco-systems. They pollinate plants and make the forest grow and also control insect populations. The Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat is species of Indonesian bat that is vulnerable and experiencing rapid loss of their limestone habitat in the area due to limestone mining (S. Bumrungsri pers. comm).

Thailand Leaf-nosed #Bats 🦇🖤🦇 are ecosystem guardians dispersing seeds in #rainforests of #Thailand 🇹🇭 and #Malaysia 🇲🇾 Hunting and rampant #deforestation are ravaging their numbers. Help flying #mammals, be #vegan 🥦 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/24/thailand-leaf-nosed-bat-hipposideros-halophyllus/

Appearance and Behaviour

The Thailand leaf-nosed bat is a small, insectivorous mammal characterised by a distinct horseshoe-shaped noseleaf that assists in echolocation. Though morphologically similar to its relatives in the Hipposideros bicolor group, H. halophyllus can be distinguished by its echolocation calls and skull shape. These bats roost communally in dark limestone caves, often choosing locations with narrow entrances and minimal light exposure. They are most active at dusk and dawn, remaining close to their roost, usually within a 2 km radius, to forage for insects.

Diet

Like many hipposiderid bats, the Thailand leaf-nosed bat is an insectivore. They use sophisticated echolocation to locate flying insects at night, including moths, beetles, and other small arthropods. Their foraging radius is limited, which makes intact, nearby forest habitat crucial to their survival.

Reproduction and Mating

Very little is known about their reproductive cycle. However, similar species in the Hipposideros genus tend to breed once a year, with females giving birth to a single pup. Maternity roosts are likely to be highly sensitive to disturbance, and young bats rely on secure cave environments for their early development.

Geographic Range

The species is found from northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Lop Buri, Sa Kaeo, and Sara Buri) to northern Peninsular Malaysia (Perlis). Its range is severely fragmented, with key populations found in Khao Samor Khon and Pha Daeng Cave. Most known populations are small, isolated, and surrounded by agriculture and urban development, limiting gene flow and recolonisation opportunities.

Threats

Known localities are severely fragmented and surrounded by urban areas or rice fields where pesticide use is high. The bats were reported being hunted by local hunters at Khao Samor Khon (Lop Buri) and disturbed by tourist activities in Ton Chan Cave (Sara Buri) and Khao Yoi Cave (Petcha Buri) (Douangboubpha et al. 2010). This species is assessed as Vulnerable because the population is estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals, and they are expected to decline by 15% in the next 15 years (three generations).

In addition most known populations are outside protected areas and the forest habitat is highly disturbed due to livestock and deforestation (S. Bumrungsri pers. comm).

IUCN red list

• Limestone mining: Destruction of cave systems, especially outside protected areas
• Deforestation: Loss of surrounding forest for logging and agriculture
• Palm oil plantations: Expansion into forested areas reduces foraging grounds
• Tourism: Disturbance in caves such as Ton Chan and Khao Yoi
• Pesticides: High levels of pesticide use in adjacent rice fields impact insect prey and bat health
• Hunting: Local hunting at some roost sites (e.g. Khao Samor Khon)

Take Action!

Protecting the Thailand leaf-nosed bat means defending what remains of Southeast Asia’s ancient limestone ecosystems. Reject products that fuel deforestation and cave destruction, including palm oil. Support bans on limestone mining in biodiversity-rich zones and demand action against pesticide pollution. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Thailand leaf-nosed bats are left?

The global population is estimated at fewer than 10,000 individuals, with most colonies extremely small and fragmented. The largest known group—at Khao Samor Khon in Thailand—is estimated to host only 1,000–1,400 bats (Waengsothorn et al., 2006). Many other sites have fewer than 200 bats, and no connectivity exists between populations.

Why are limestone caves so important for these bats?

Hipposideros halophyllus requires specific cave conditions: low elevation, limestone rock formations, small underground entrances, and stable humidity. These habitats provide protection from predators and climate extremes. Once a cave is mined, the bats cannot relocate easily, making habitat loss devastating (Douangboubpha et al., 2010).

Do palm oil plantations threaten bats?

Yes. Forest clearing for palm oil destroys the vegetation buffer around bat caves and reduces insect availability. The bats rarely travel far from their roosts, so losing surrounding forest can starve colonies and make them vulnerable to predators and heat stress.

Do Thailand leaf-nosed bats live in protected areas?

Most known populations are outside protected areas and vulnerable to mining, tourism, or hunting. The lack of formal protection makes conservation efforts difficult, and habitat degradation continues largely unchecked (IUCN, 2021).

What can we do to help protect them?

Support bans on mining in karst landscapes, avoid products with palm oil, and advocate for more protected areas in Thailand and Malaysia. Raising awareness and funding for bat surveys is also essential, as these bats are rarely monitored.

Further Information

Douangboubpha , B. & Soisook, P. 2016. Hipposideros halophyllus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10137A22092544. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T10137A22092544.en. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.

Douangboubpha, B., Bumrungsri, S., Soisook, P., Murray, S. W., Puechmaille, S. J., Satasook, C., Hla Bu, S. S., Harrison, D. L., & Bates, P. J. J. (2010). A taxonomic review of Hipposideros halophyllus, with additional information on H. ater and H. cineraceus (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Thailand and Myanmar. Acta Chiropterologica, 12(1), 29–50. https://doi.org/10.3161/150811010X504572

Douangboubpha , B. & Soisook, P. 2016. Hipposideros halophyllus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10137A22092544. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T10137A22092544.en. Accessed on 18 April 2025.

Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros halophyllus

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Read more

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https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

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#Agriculture #Bat #bats #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #hunting #Malaysia #Mammal #mammals #mines #mining #palmoil #Paraquat #pesticide #pesticides #pollination #pollinator #rainforests #SouthEastAsia #Thailand #ThailandLeafNosedBatHipposiderosHalophyllus #timber #tourism #vegan #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies

Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea

Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea

Endangered

Locations: Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java)

The Milky Stork is a striking wading bird native to Southeast Asia’s coastal mangroves and wetlands. Recognisable by their predominantly white plumage and contrasting black flight feathers, they play a vital role in their ecosystem by controlling fish and insect populations. Unfortunately, habitat destruction for palm oil and timber, pollution, and the illegal wildlife trade have led to significant population declines. To protect the Milky Stork use your wallet as a weapon to fight for their survival each time you shop. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Milky Storks are wetlands-dwelling #birds of #Indonesia #Malaysia 🦢🪶🩷 They’re #endangered by #deforestation #pollution and #agriculture. Boycott the brands destroying their home #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🤮🩸🔥☠️⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/25/milky-stork-mycteria-cinerea/

In Indonesia, the Milky Stork lives in tidal forests including mangroves are these ecosystems are threatened by agricultural conversion and development schemes.

IUCN Red List

Appearance and Behaviour

Milky Storks are medium-sized birds, standing approximately 91–97 cm tall. Their plumage is predominantly white, with black flight feathers and tail that exhibit a greenish gloss. During the breeding season, their white feathers may take on a pale creamy-yellow tint, giving them their “milky” appearance. They have a long, yellow bill and bare facial skin that varies in colour from greyish to deep wine-red during breeding. These storks are social birds, often found in flocks, and are known for their graceful foraging behaviour in shallow waters, where they use their sensitive bills to detect and catch prey.

Geographic Range

The Milky Stork is native to parts of Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, particularly Sumatra and Java. They inhabit coastal mangroves, estuaries, mudflats, and freshwater wetlands. However, their range has become increasingly fragmented due to habitat loss and human activities.

Diet

Primarily carnivorous, Milky Storks feed on a variety of aquatic prey, including fish, crustaceans, insects, and amphibians. They forage by wading through shallow waters, using their long bills to probe the mud and water for food. Their feeding habits help control populations of their prey, maintaining ecological balance in their habitats.

Reproduction and Mating

Milky Storks breed in colonies, often alongside other waterbird species. Nesting sites are typically located in tall trees within mangrove forests or on coastal islands. A recent study reported the rediscovery of a breeding colony in South Sumatra, Indonesia, highlighting the importance of preserving these critical habitats. The breeding season varies by region but generally coincides with the dry season. Females lay 2–3 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. Chicks fledge approximately two months after hatching.

Threats

The Milky Stork is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of around 1,500 mature individuals. Conservation efforts include habitat protection, restoration of mangroves, anti-poaching measures, and captive breeding programmes aimed at bolstering wild populations. Public awareness and community engagement are also crucial in mitigating threats and promoting coexistence.

IUCN Status: Endangered

• Habitat Loss: Destruction of mangroves and wetlands for palm oil agriculture, fishing aquaculture, and urban development has led to significant declines in suitable habitats for this stork.
• Pollution: Industrial and agricultural pollutants contaminate waterways, affecting the health and reproductive success of Milky Storks.
• Illegal Wildlife Trade: On occasion these birds are collected for the pet trade or local consumption, further reducing wild populations.
• Species Hybridisation: Interbreeding with the Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) poses a genetic threat to the species’ population.

Take Action!

Protect the Milky Stork by boycotting products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to support ethical and eco-friendly choices. Share their story and fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.

You can support this beautiful animal

There are no known conservation activities for this animal. Share out this post to social media and join the #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife on social media to raise awareness

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2016. Mycteria cinerea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22697651A93627701. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22697651A93627701.en. Downloaded on 25 January 2021.

eBird. (n.d.). Milky Stork. Retrieved from eBird

Iqbal, M., Ridwan, A., Takari, F., & Mulyono, H. (2008). Rediscovery of a Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) breeding colony in South Sumatra province, Indonesia. BirdingASIA, 10, 62–66. Retrieved from ResearchGate

Thai National Parks. (n.d.). Milky Stork. Retrieved from Thai National Parks

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Milky Stork. Retrieved from Wikipedia

Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

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Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

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Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Agriculture #Bird #birds #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Cambodia #deforestation #endangered #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #illegalPetTrade #Indonesia #Malaysia #MilkyStorkMycteriaCinerea #pollution #SouthEastAsia #stork

Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Endemic to the island of Borneo, specifically in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, with potential populations in Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysia.

Bornean #Peacock #Pheasants are famous for their purple, emerald 💜💚🦜 feathers and secretive natures. Living in #Indonesia and #Malaysia, #palmoil #deforestation is a major threat. Help these #birds! #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-wV

https://youtu.be/_rh5J72R6sc

In central Kalimantan, habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation as a result of large-scale commercial logging (deliberately targeting all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas), widespread clearance for plantations of rubber and oil-palm, and hunting with snares, are the main threats.

IUCN Red list

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is a rare and elusive #bird found only in #Borneo’s tropical rainforests in #Indonesia and Malaysia. They are known for their intricate iridescent plumage and secretive nature. This species faces a grave threat from out-of-control #palmoil plantations, timber logging, the illegal #pettrade and habitat destruction. #Deforestation has wiped out vast areas of their habitat, pushing this bird toward #extinction. Without urgent conservation action, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant may soon vanish forever. Take action everytime you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife to help protect this species.

Appearance and Behaviour

This species is a small, ground-dwelling bird with an extraordinary pattern of shimmering blue-green ‘eye-spots’ across its wings and tail. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, fanning their tails to attract mates. Their dark brown plumage, speckled with emerald and sapphire hues, allows them to blend into the dense forest undergrowth.

Naturally shy, these birds spend most of their time hidden in thick vegetation, foraging on the forest floor for food. They are largely solitary or found in pairs, relying on camouflage and silence to avoid predators. They are known for their soft calls but can produce loud alarm calls when threatened.

Threats

Palm Oil and Rubber Plantation Deforestation

The uncontrolled expansion of palm oil and rubber plantations is the primary driver of this species’ decline. Between 1985 and 1997, nearly 25% of Borneo’s evergreen forest was lost. Lowland dipterocarp forests, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant’s primary habitat, are among the most heavily logged ecosystems in the world. As multinational corporations destroy rainforests to make way for palm oil and timber plantations, these birds are left with nowhere to live, breed, or find food.

Illegal Logging and Habitat Fragmentation

Almost all remaining lowland forests in Central Kalimantan have been allocated as logging concessions, meaning that even the last viable populations of the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant are at risk. Habitat fragmentation isolates populations, making survival even more difficult.

Hunting and Illegal Wildlife Trade

Despite their rarity, Bornean Peacock-Pheasants have been documented in the illegal pet trade. In 1998, TRAFFIC recorded at least six individuals being smuggled to Singapore for sale. As deforestation forces them into smaller, more exposed areas, they become easier targets for poachers.

Climate Change and Increasing Wildfires

Massive fires in Borneo, worsened by climate change and deforestation, continue to destroy critical habitat. The devastating 1997–1998 fires wiped out large portions of the species’ range, and these fires have only increased in frequency and severity since then.

Diet

Bornean Peacock-Pheasants are omnivorous, feeding on insects, seeds, fallen fruits, and small invertebrates. They forage by scratching through leaf litter, searching for hidden insects and worms. They depend on dense rainforest undergrowth, which is disappearing due to palm oil plantations and logging.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about their breeding ecology, but like other peacock-pheasants, they are believed to be monogamous. Males perform intricate displays, fanning out their eye-spotted tails while calling softly to attract a mate. Nesting likely occurs in dense undergrowth, with the female incubating a small clutch of one to two eggs.

Geographic Range

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is found only on the island of Borneo, particularly in Central Kalimantan (Indonesia), with unconfirmed sightings in Sarawak and Sabah (Malaysia). Its range is highly fragmented, with populations struggling to survive as habitat destruction accelerates.

FAQ

What is the rarest peacock-pheasant?

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is considered one of the rarest and most elusive birds in Borneo. Due to their small population size and habitat loss, sightings of this species are extremely rare.

Are peacock-pheasants loud?

Peacock-pheasants are generally quiet birds, relying on their camouflage to stay hidden. However, they can produce loud alarm calls when startled or threatened.

What is the meaning of peacock-pheasant?

The name “peacock-pheasant” comes from the male’s tail feathers, which are adorned with iridescent eye-spots similar to those of true peacocks. These tail feathers are used in elaborate courtship displays.

Do Bornean Peacock-Pheasants Make Good Pets?

No, Bornean Peacock-Pheasants (Polyplectron schleiermacheri) should never be kept as pets. These birds are wild, highly sensitive, and critically dependent on their rainforest habitat for survival. Capturing them for the pet trade contributes directly to their population decline, pushing them closer to extinction.

Unlike domesticated birds, Bornean Peacock-Pheasants have complex social structures, specialised diets, and require vast, undisturbed forest territories. Removing them from the wild causes immense stress, often leading to premature death. Many individuals die in transit or in captivity due to improper care, lack of appropriate food, or extreme distress.

Furthermore, the illegal pet trade is a serious conservation threat, often linked to habitat destruction, deforestation for palm oil, and poaching. The 1998 TRAFFIC report documented these birds being smuggled out of Kalimantan into the international market, highlighting the grim reality of wildlife trafficking (Shepherd, 2000).

If you care about Bornean Peacock-Pheasants, the best way to help is by boycotting palm oil, opposing wildlife trafficking, and supporting conservation efforts to protect their natural rainforest habitat. Every purchase you make is a vote for or against the destruction of their home. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Take Action!

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction driven by the palm oil industry. Every time you shop, you have the power to make a difference. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife to protect Borneo’s last remaining forests. Without urgent action, this species may disappear forever. Support indigenous-led conservation and advocate for the protection of Borneo’s rainforests before it’s too late.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2016. Polyplectron schleiermacheri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679393A84694321. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679393A84694321.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Chng et. al (2000). TRAFFIC report on the trade of Bornean Peacock-Pheasants in Southeast Asia. TRAFFIC Southeast Asia. https://www.traffic.org/site/assets/files/2466/market_for_extinction_jakarta.pdf

Corder, J., & Davison, G. (2021). Captive breeding challenges posed by Malaysian and Bornean Peacock-Pheasants (Polyplectron malacense and P. schleiermacheri). Zoo Biology, 40(4), 346-351. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21600

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Bornean peacock-pheasant. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 7 February 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bornean_peacock-pheasant

Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

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2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#art #Bird #birds #BorneanPeacockPheasantPolyplectronSchleiermacheri #Borneo #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #EndangeredSpecies #extinction #ForgottenAnimals #Indonesia #Kalimantan #Malaysia #palmoil #Peacock #pettrade #Pheasants #SouthEastAsia

Shoebill Balaeniceps rex

Shoebill Balaeniceps rex

Vulnerable

Extant (resident)

Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Rwanda; South Sudan; Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia

Known for their unnerving and intense stare and imposing, prehistoric appearance – shoebills are magnificent birds. There are less than 8000 individual birds left alive. They are vulnerable from #palmoil, #cocoa and #meat #deforestation, agricultural run-off, #pollution, #mining, #hunting and human persecution. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

The #Shoebill is a magnificent and gentle big bird 🕊️🦤 with an unnerving stare 👀 There are only 8000 left alive in #DRC, #Uganda #Africa. Vulnerable from #palmoil #deforestation, #hunting and more. Fight for them! #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/09/10/shoebill-balaeniceps-rex/

Known for their menacing stare 👀😸 gentle #shoebills are iconic in #Uganda 🇺🇬 #Congo 🇨🇩 #Tanzania 🇹🇿 They are vulnerable from #hunting, #palmoil #deforestation. Help them and be #vegan 🥕🍆 and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔☠️🔥⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/09/10/shoebill-balaeniceps-rex/

There are less than 8,000 birds left alive and they are increasingly threatened by agricultural run-off from palm oil and cocoa deforestation across their range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V7t28Fim34

The shoebill Balaeniceps rex is also known by the common names: the whale-headed stork, shoebill stork and whalehead. Their eponymous feature is their enormous bill They have the third largest bills after pelicans and large storks.

Fast Facts

• When shoebills soar they make around 150 flaps per minute which makes them one of the slowest of any bird, with the exception of the larger stork species.
• They stand stock-still and waiting, all alone giving them an eerie and unnerving appearance. Once they notice fish appearing on the surface of swamps they quickly snap them up into their large bills.
• The shoebill’s chattering large bill makes a sound akin to machine gun fire. This combined with their silent creeping gait can make them seem rather menacing!

https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/11bnvkd/the_unexpected_sound_of_a_shoebill_stork/?utm_source=embedv2&utm_medium=post_embed&utm_content=action_bar

• Shoebills are attracted to poorly oxygenated waters, as this means fish must come to the surface to breathe – where they are efficiently captured.
• They are mostly silent except for elaborate bill-clattering communication that happens during their breeding. Chicks make a human-like hiccup sound when signalling hunger.

• Although they have a similar appearance to storks, shoebills are more closely related to pelicans and herons in the order Pelecaniformes.

Appearance & Behaviour

They possess extraordinarily large feet with their middle toe extending up to 18.5 cm in length. This helps them with balance while standing on uneven swamps and on aquatic vegetation while they hunt.

Adults have feathers that range from blue-grey to slate-grey. Juveniles possess similar plumage but in a tawny blue-brown hue.

Shoebills have a modestly sized bill at birth, which grows much larger once chicks reach between 23-43 days old.

Their unusual beauty makes them a must-see for birdwatchers in Africa. Despite their slightly unnerving appearance, these birds are placid and will allow birdwatchers to snap their photo at a range of two metres.

Shoebills are known for staying statue-still and silent in the muddy waters while hunting. These birds stalk their prey in a solitary way, patiently lurking and hunting entirely with their vision. Once prey is spotted they launch a rapid strike. They will sometimes use their big beaks to pry deep into the pond mud and extirpate lung fish with a violent strike.

They are normally silent but will get noisy during nesting season with elaborate bill clattering displays. Adults birds will make a ‘moo’ sound and high pitched whine while clattering their bills in order to communicate with each other. Chicks call out to their mothers with a ‘hiccup’ sound.

Shoebills typically hunt for lungfish and other fish in poorly oxygenated marshlands, bogs, peatland and swamps. Fish frequently break to the surface to breathe – it is then that shoebills rapidly strike. Their large feet enable them to balance on floating vegetation. The movement of hippos can aid the hunting of shoebills, as they rustle up fish from bottom of swamps, pushing them to surface for the shoebills’ easy capture.

Threats

There is estimated to be below 8,000 individual shoebills left and they are classified as vulnerable. Shoebills face a range of anthropogenic threats:

• Palm oil and cocoa deforestation: The mass removal of virgin rainforest for palm oil and cocoa results in mass deaths of shoebills.
• Infrastructure building: roads, dams and powerlines pose a risk to shoebills.
• Meat deforestation: cattle and other animals are known to trample shoebill nests.
• Pollution run-off: from palm oil agrochemicals and mining effluent.
• Hunting: In some cultures shoebills are thought of as a bad omen, in others they are hunted for food.
• Capture for the pet trade: Shoebill eggs and chicks are captured for consumption or sold to zoos.
• Armed human conflict: Armed groups moving through the rainforest has facilitated hunting of shoebills.
• Climate change: Increased extreme weather events like fires and droughts brought on by climate change lowers their numbers.

Habitat

Shoebills are found in central tropical Africa. Including South Sudan, eastern Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, western Tanzania, and northern Zambia. They are non-migratory birds who make limited seasonal movements.

They live in dense freshwater swamps and marshes including undisturbed papyrus and reed beds. They are attracted to areas of mixed vegetation and have been seen on occasion in rice fields and flooded plantations.

Diet

Shoebills mainly consume fish but will also eat a range of wetland vertebrates. Their preferred food is marbled lungfish, tilapia and catfish. When this is not available they are known to consume frogs, nile monitors, baby crocodiles, water snakes, turtles, snails, rodents and other small waterfowl.

Mating and breeding

Shoebills form monogamous pair bonds for the breeding season. They fiercely defend their nests from other birds during their nesting period, which begins either during the monsoon season or after this ends.

Both parents build the nest on a floating and flat platform made up of swamp vegetation and around three metres wide and three metres deep.

Typically the female will lay between one to three eggs, with only one being reared and cared for until maturity. The other eggs are back-ups in case the eldest chick is weak or dies.

In the hot weather, shoebill parents will fill their bills with water to shower their nests to cool their eggs.

Chicks take about 105 days to fledge and juveniles typically fly well by 112 days. Juvenile birds will continue to feed with their mother for another month after this and reach sexual maturity at about three years old.

Support Shoebills by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2018. Balaeniceps rex. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22697583A133840708. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22697583A133840708.en. Accessed on 16 February 2023.

Shoebill on Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoebill

Shoebill on Animalia.bio – https://animalia.bio/shoebill

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Africa #animals #Bird #birds #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #CentralAfricanRepublic #cocoa #Congo #deforestation #DemocracticRepublicOfCongo #DRC #hunting #meat #mining #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #poaching #pollution #Rwanda #Shoebill #ShoebillBalaenicepsRex #shoebills #SouthSudan #stork #Tanzania #Uganda #vegan #VulnerableSpecies #Zambia

Air Pollution from Palm Oil: A Human Rights Issue

Forest-fire haze drifting from Indonesia to neighbouring countries every dry season has eluded efforts to curb it.

Land clearing by burning is prohibited in Indonesia and Malaysia. However, penalising foreign companies for palm oil and timber deforestation has been hampered by cronyism and corruption.

Under-explored legal avenues may provide new solutions to the decades-old problem. 

Everybody in the world deserves to breath in #cleanair. #Palmoil air #pollution is a global problem. Domestic and international laws could combat it together and provide solutions. #TheAirWeShare Story via @360info_global #Boycottpalmoil @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2024/03/03/air-pollution-from-palm-oil-deforestation-is-a-human-rights-issue-affecting-everyone-in-s-e-asia/

Penalising foreign companies for #palmoil and #timber #deforestation in #Indonesia and #Malaysia has been hampered by #cronyism and #corruption at the highest levels of government. Story: @360info_global #TheAirWeShare #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2024/03/03/air-pollution-from-palm-oil-deforestation-is-a-human-rights-issue-affecting-everyone-in-s-e-asia/

Written by Cecep Aminudin, a PhD candidate in environmental law at Padjadjaran University, Indonesia. Originally published as ‘Laying down the law on air pollution’ by 360info.org and republished under Creative Commons License.

Forest and land fires in Indonesia have attracted global attention since the great fires in 1982–83 and 1997–98. Large haze events occurred again in 2007, 2012 and 2015, causing international alarm and cross-border pollution throughout Southeast Asia. Smoke from these sorts of fires is the biggest source of air pollution in Indonesia after transportation and energy emissions.

Companies – mostly oil-palm producers – have used fire as a tool to clear forests and peatland areas for agriculture, even though Indonesia and Malaysia are well aware of the need to strictly enforce bans on the practice. 

• Indonesian and Malaysian laws since the 1997 haze event have not prevented local burning.
• And penalising foreign companies for their actions in Indonesia and Malaysia has been hampered by cronyism and corruption, lack of awareness and education, weaknesses in the institutional framework and lack of political will.
• Also, the penalties are too low to deter further pollution.
• In recent years Indonesia’s environment ministry has brought more land- and forest-fire cases to court. Civil laws holding businesses accountable for the fires they cause have had some effect, according to a ministry report.

The ministry filed 21 cases between January 2015 and September 2020, and of these 10 were successful and 11 are still pending. Businesses have been ordered to pay compensation and restoration costs totalling almost US$1.38 billion.

These outcomes are related to the application of the precautionary principle in decision-making by Indonesian civil courts, as is common in environmental cases that involve scientific evidence.

According to this principle, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used to make a decision regarding environmental protection. Indonesian courts applied the precautionary principle in the determining liable party and judging evidence even when there was scientific uncertainty.

Providing sufficient evidence in forest- and land-fire cases is often very difficult

Scientific evidence in the form of studies and expert opinion plays a crucial role in proving illegal fires have occurred, who started them, and how much environmental damage and loss they have caused.

Laboratory test reports can also be used as evidence in civil environmental-justice cases. Entirely at the judge’s discretion, these reports can be treated as expert testimony. Their relevance, which includes validity and reliability, and support from other expert testimonies, is a critical point in a judge’s decision to admit them as compelling legal evidence.

External regulation could complement and support the legal framework in each Southeast Asian country to ensure the activities of transnational companies meet environmental standards and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) notion of cooperation.

Holding palm oil companies to account for air pollution under international law

A legitimate legislative framework could impose and enforce international environmental standards recognised under human rights obligations. In this way, palm oil plantation companies could be held accountable under international law for the pollution they cause elsewhere.

The victims of transboundary pollution and other environmental destruction are the people whose health will suffer, either in the short or the long term. Many countries have also suffered economic loss from direct damage and loss of economic activity. 

Holding polluters accountable will not just uphold domestic laws but also demonstrate political willingness to recognise air pollution as a human rights issue.

Cecep Aminudin is a PhD candidate in environmental law at Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia. He is the Chairman of ECOTAS, a research institute on sustainability. Apart from pursuing his doctoral degree, Aminudin conducts research, delivers training and consults on environmental law. He declares no conflict of interest in relation to this article and does not receive special funds in any form.

Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.

Written by Cecep Aminudin, a PhD candidate in environmental law at Padjadjaran University, Indonesia. Originally published as ‘Laying down the law on air pollution’ by 360info.org and republished under Creative Commons License.

ENDS

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry finds extensive greenwashing of human rights abuses, deforestation, air pollution and human health impacts

Big brands using “sustainable” RSPO palm oil yet still causing deforestation (there are many others)

Nestlé

Nestlé is destroying rainforests, releasing mega-tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere, and killing hundreds of endangered species. Once these animals are gone – they are gone for good. See Nestlé’s full list of…

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Colgate-Palmolive

Despite global retail giant Colgate-Palmolive forming a coalition with other brands in 2020, virtue-signalling that they will stop all deforestation, they continue to do this – destroying rainforest and releasing mega-tonnes of carbon…

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Mondelēz

Mondelez destroys rainforests, sending animals extinct and release mega-tonnes of carbon into air for so-called “sustainable” palm oil. Boycott them!

Read more

Unilever

In 2020, global retail giant Unilever unveiled a deforestation-free supply chain promise. By 2023 they would be deforestation free. This has been and gone and they are still causing deforestation. This brand has…

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Danone

Savvy consumers have been pressuring French Dairy multinational Danone for decades to cease using deforestation palm oil. Yet they actually haven’t stopped this. From their website: ‘Danone is committed to eliminating deforestation from…

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PepsiCo

Despite decades of promises to end deforestation for palm oil PepsiCo (owner of crisp brands Frito-Lay, Cheetos and Doritos along with hundreds of other snack food brands) have continued sourcing palm oil that…

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Procter & Gamble

Despite decades of promises to end deforestation for palm oil Procter & Gamble or (P&G as they are also known) have continued sourcing palm oil that causes ecocide, indigenous landgrabbing, and the habitat…

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Kelloggs/Kellanova

In late 2023, Kelloggs became Kellanova for their US arm. Savvy consumers have been pressuring Kelloggs for decades to cease using deforestation palm oil. Yet they actually haven’t stopped this. From their website:…

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Johnson & Johnson

Global mega-brand Johnson & Johnson have issued a position statement on palm oil in 2020. ‘At Johnson & Johnson, we are committed to doing our part to address the unsustainable rate of global…

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PZ Cussons

PZ Cussons is a British-owned global retail giant. They own well-known supermarket brands in personal care, cleaning, household goods and toiletries categories, such as Imperial Leather, Morning Fresh, Carex, Radiant laundry powder and…

Read more

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• WordPress
• YouTube
• Mail
• Mastodon

Enter your email address

Sign Up

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#360infoOrg #airPollution #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #carbonemissions #cleanair #corruption #cronyism #deforestation #fire #fossilFuels #fossilfuel #fossilfuels #greenwashing #humanHealth #Indonesia #Malaysia #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #pollution #SouthEastAsia #TheAirWeShare #timber