Abstract for presentation at Biodiversity Extinction Crisis Conference - A Pacific Response

I will present a case study of captive management of the genus Pitohui which is endemic to New Guinea. These entail general housing, feeding requirements and general behavior. I will also present problems encountered as this is the first of it kind in PNG. It was found that pitohuis acquire batrachotoxin (BTX), a potent alkaloid neurotoxin, by feeding on Choresine beetles (family Melyridae). This is same toxin found in the South American poison dart frogs (genus Phyllobates). In this study, twenty-four birds were mist-netted at Herowana village, Eastern Highlands Province, kept in separate kennels, and then flown to Goroka where they were held in individual cages in an outdoor aviary at the Wildlife Conservation headquarters. The cages were composed of a wooden frame enclosed in wire grid and insect netting. Each cage was 1.3 m x 1.5 m x 2 m high, contained a lot of natural vegetation, and had a 40cm x 40cm feeding table with a sliding door such that food could be introduced and removed easily. We experienced high mortality during acclimatization, and four birds then formulated the remaining populations. Stress appeared to be the main cause of death for the birds. Diet consisted mainly of papaya, banana, avocado, egg and specially-formulated bird of paradise pellets given to them daily at 1800hs. The largest proportion of food taken was egg and the least was pellets. Because the birds are toxic in the wild, we attempted to keep toxin levels high by adding batrachotoxins directly to food, or by adding Choresine beetles to the weekly diet. Captive breeding and management of endangered and endemic species is an important tool for management recommendations and species conservation. Important information that is found through captive management will be used to educate locals and for future captive bird work in PNG.