Newly Discovered 17th Century Document Described Now-Extinct Mauritian Wildlife

The extinct Raven Parrot and Echo Parakeet. Image by Photo credit: Julian Hume/London Natural History Museum When the Dutch colonized the island of Mauritius back in the 17^th century, sailors brought with them a variety of pets and animals as carry-ons, like cats, rats and monkeys. Unadapted to these new predators, local animals would have been profoundly affected by their introduction. Dodos, for example, were wiped out within just 90 years of the arrival of the Dutch. Unfortunately, there exist few detailed descriptions of the Mauritian ecosystem prior to Dutch occupation, except of settlers jotting down which animals were easiest to catch.

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UPDATE – Indonesia urged to combat wildlife smuggling

NGO says port where police seized more than 20 live birds in bottles is a transit point in smuggling protected wildlife.

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Critically endangered cockatoos stuffed into plastic bottles by Indonesia smugglers

The yellow-crested cockatoos were found by officials at the Tanjung Perak port in the city of Surabaya. Image by Jefta Images/BarcroftIndonesian police have intercepted and saved two-dozen critically endangered cockatoos that wildlife traffickers were trying to smuggle of the country in plastic bottles.

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The monk parakeet: Tracking an invasive bird

Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). Image by chris2766 / FotoliaThe monk parakeets that have invaded Europe and North America over the last 40-50 years fortifying their massive communal nests atop utility poles in many urban areas appear to have originated from the same small area in South America, according to a new study.

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Kakariki population flies to new heights

Zealandia's 500th banded kakariki chick. Image by Richard GrayEcosanctuary Zealandia in Wellington has a new feather in its cap after celebrating the landmark banding of its 500th kakariki.

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