In 2024 authorities recorded three separate seizures that netted 25 live juvenile maleo birds bound for or already inside India. These incidents mark the first documented cases of the critically endangered species entering international smuggling networks. The ground-nesting birds, found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, face mounting pressure from habitat loss and egg collection. Enforcement records now show traffickers have added live chicks to their routes through major transit hubs. ([1])
Distinctive Biology Raises Stakes
Maleos stand out among birds because they do not incubate their own eggs. Instead, females bury clutches in sun-warmed beach sand or soil heated by volcanic activity. Chicks emerge fully independent and must fend for themselves immediately. This unusual strategy leaves the species especially vulnerable once eggs or young birds are removed from the wild. Only an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 breeding pairs remain across Sulawesi.
Documented Smuggling Routes
The three 2024 seizures involved couriers traveling through Jakarta, Mumbai, and Bangkok. Traffickers reportedly recruited young couples, families traveling with children, and at least one single mother by offering paid holidays and cash payments. All international commercial trade in maleos is prohibited under Indonesian law and the CITES convention. The new cases represent the first clear evidence that the species has entered illicit cross-border commerce.
Evidence Points to Indian Demand
Researchers tracking the incidents concluded that the birds were destined for a domestic pet market inside India. Social media posts showing influencers and celebrities with rare wildlife as pets have also surfaced in connection with similar activity. Study co-author Uttara Mendiratta noted that all available evidence points to that domestic market. Lead author Chris Shepherd observed that while 25 birds may appear modest in number, each removal carries significant weight for a population already under severe stress.
Conservation Response Needed
The seizures underscore gaps in enforcement at international transit points. They also highlight the need for stronger monitoring of social media platforms where demand for exotic pets is openly displayed. Indonesian and Indian authorities have existing legal tools to address the trade, yet syndicates continue to adapt their methods. Sustained cooperation between range countries and transit hubs will determine whether this emerging pathway can be closed before larger volumes appear.
