Raising awareness on wildlife trade in Indonesia

As we begin 2026, our team is focused on the transition from the extensive academic and conference work of the past year to the next critical phase of our mission. While the path to wildlife conservation is rarely a straight line, we remain dedicated to our goal of protecting Indonesia’s parrots and the communities that live alongside them.

A significant portion of our efforts over the recent years has been dedicated to navigating the rigorous administrative and permitting processes required to conduct high-level conservation research in Indonesia. We are working closely with our partners at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Gadjah Mada University to ensure that our fieldwork aligns perfectly with national regulatory frameworks. While these processes are meticulous and time-intensive, they are essential for building the long-term, official partnerships that make our conservation work sustainable and legally robust. We are hopeful that this diligent preparation will allow us to commence on-the-ground fieldwork and community engagement in the coming months.

While our primary focus remains on the hotspots of Eastern Indonesia at the moment, our team is also looking at the bigger picture of the global parrot trade. The lessons we have been learning in the Maluku region are highly relevant to other parrot-rich nations facing similar challenges.

As part of our long-term strategy, we are currently exploring opportunities to expand our research footprint geographically. By diversifying our study sites and including a broader range of parrot species across different tropical regions, we can better understand the global drivers of the illicit trade. This "big picture" approach allows us to refine our forensic tools and behavioral-change models, ensuring they are effective not just in Indonesia, but as part of a global solution to protect these iconic birds.

In 2026, we aim to move from the desk to the forest. Your support is what allows us to maintain our presence and navigate the complexities of international conservation.

Thank you for your patience and for believing in the importance of this work. We look forward to sharing the first updates from the field very soon. Please stay tuned for more updates here or at our project’s website at stopparrottrade.org.

Since our last update in March, our team has been incredibly active in disseminating our research and raising awareness about parrot conservation on both local and international stages. These efforts are crucial for building the networks and support needed to tackle the illegal wildlife trade in Indonesia. We are excited to share the progress our dedicated local collaborators, my students, Dudi Nandika and Dwi Agustina, have made in representing our project at various prestigious events.

Our outreach began in Indonesia, bringing our project's message to key audiences. In March, Dudi delivered a talk on "Parrot Conservation Action in Maluku" at the Bali Bird Congress. This was followed in April by a special invitation for both Dudi and Dwi to give guest lectures at Pattimura University in Ambon. Dudi presented an overview of "Parrot and Conservation in Indonesia", while Dwi shared her Master's research on "Aligning Local Wisdom with Parrot Conservation Efforts on Seram Island, Maluku".

Our team's presence was also felt on the global stage. In June, I was honored to deliver a plenary lecture on "The role of genetics in parrot conservation" at the International Psittacine Congress, and you can watch the recorded talk here. At the same conference, Dudi presented a poster detailing his findings on the "Abundance of Eclectus Parrots on Seram Island, Indonesia".

Most recently, Dudi had a remarkable presence at the Indonesian Bird Researchers and Observers Conference (KPPBI 7) in August. He delivered two oral presentations: one on the "Recent status of the Moluccan Cockatoo and conservation efforts on Ambon Island," and another on the "Recent status of the endemic birds on Buru Island, Indonesia." He also presented a poster on the status of the Moluccan Eclectus in Manusela National Park. We are incredibly proud to announce that for his significant contributions, Dudi received a Young Researchers Award from Rangkong Indonesia.

These presentations are vital for sharing our findings and building a strong foundation for the next phase of our fieldwork. By engaging with scientists, students, and local communities, we are paving the way for sustainable, community-based solutions to the wildlife trade.

Thank you for your invaluable support that makes this all possible. Please stay tuned for more updates here or at our project’s website at stopparrottrade.org.