Herons of French Polynesia. Threats, status and conservation.
Résumé
In French Polynesia, only three Ardeidae are present: Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Tahiti Striated Heron (Butorides striata patruelis) and Eastern Reef-Heron (Egretta sacra), and the last two breed there. The Eastern Reef-Heron is widespread in the Pacific range and its conservation status is least concern. However, the status of the Tahiti Striated Heron is critically endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List. In 2009, only 70 birds were estimated living in Tahiti and thus the entire French Polynesia. Threats are mainly due to the restricted distribution of breeding habitat and habitat destruction. The Tahiti Striated Heron needs coastal and riverine Hibiscus forests for foraging and nesting. However, such coastal forests are being destroyed and the heron was found on only 7% of the linear coast. We discuss possible conservation plans for this critically endangered bird including translocation on another island of the Society Archipelago.